Rare Egyptian Vultures Spotted in the Forest Range of Odisha

Rare Egyptian vultures were spotted near Laxmipur in Chikiti forest range of Odisha's Ganjam district in the month of July 2013. The forest department declared that it would carry out a survey of the birds in order to find out more about them. The survey would help in locating their nesting site.

Thirteen Egyptian vultures were spotted by a bird-watcher, who in turn, informed about it to the divisional forest officer at Berhampur. It is important to note that this sighting of the rare Egyptian vultures indicate rich biodiversity as well as healthy trend.

The Berhampur forest division also planned to submit the proposal to the wildlife wing of the forest department in order to undertake the projects for conservation of the endangered species. Action plan will be prepared after detailed survey has been performed.

These vultures were sighted at different places in monsoon. It was found that these Egyptian vultures fed on small animals as well as fish.

The number of vultures in south Asia, especially in Nepal and India, declined considerably over past few years. The major reason for this is residues of the poisonous veterinary drug in the animal carcasses.