GPS-Tagged Vulture’s 4,000 km Journey Ends Tragically In Tamil Nadu Due To Electrocution

GPS-Tagged Vulture’s 4,000 km Journey Ends Tragically In Tamil Nadu Due To Electrocution
In a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by wildlife, a GPS-tagged white-rumped vulture, part of India’s Jatayu Conservation Project, met a tragic end after traveling over 4,000 kilometers. The vulture, tagged N11, began its journey in August at the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra and was tracked across Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. Its journey ended in electrocution near Pudukottai’s Thirumayam Range.
The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) explained that young vultures like N11 are naturally inquisitive and tend to explore vast areas before learning sustainable feeding patterns. Despite facing difficulties during its journey, including weakness that required rehabilitation in Chhattisgarh and Gujarat, the vulture recovered and continued its flight.
India’s vulture population has suffered severe declines due to the use of the veterinary drug Diclofenac, which was banned in 2006. Conservation efforts, such as the Vulture Action Plan under the Union Ministry of Environment, are working to restore populations. Earlier this year, the Maharashtra Forest Department and BNHS released 20 vultures, including white-rumped and long-billed species, bred at the Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre in Haryana.
This incident underscores the pressing need for infrastructure changes, such as insulating power lines, to protect wildlife and support conservation initiatives.