A new Wildlife Institute of India (WII) assessment has raised alarm: the decline in vulture nesting sites across India now stands at roughly 72%, with most historically recorded roosts either inactive or lost. The Pan-India Assessment and Monitoring of Endangered Species — Vultures (fieldwork Feb 2023–Jan 2025) maps the scale and geography of the crisis and points to continuing threats that are impeding recovery.

What the WII Survey Actually Found

WII’s final report synthesises literature and extensive field surveys. Researchers started with 425 historically documented nesting sites from 25 states; survey teams confirmed nesting activity at only 120 of those sites, and recorded 93 new sites, giving a current total of 213 active or newly identified locations. That gap — 120 confirmed versus 425 historic — explains the headline 72% decline in vulture nesting sites figure.

The survey also counted nest numbers: teams recorded 2,410 nests (1,994 active) across species during fieldwork, with the distribution heavily skewed towards a few states. Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan together hold roughly 63% of India’s vulture nests, and more than 60% of nests recorded are inside protected areas — underscoring both regional concentration and the species’ dependence on specific landscapes.

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Species-Level Collapses and Worrying Trends

The WII assessment shows dramatic species differences. The Slender-billed Vulture has lost all 47 historically known nesting sites and is now restricted to very small breeding pockets in Upper Assam. The White-rumped Vulture was recorded at only 69 sites — roughly 13% of its historical range — reflecting declines on the order of ~90% at some formerly strong locations. Other species (Indian vulture, long-billed and red-headed vultures) show mixed patterns: some local stabilisation, but no broad recovery yet. These species-level results are tied directly to the overall decline in vulture nesting sites reported.

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Why Nesting Sites Are Disappearing: The Drivers

Experts point to a combination of persistent and interacting threats:

• Toxic veterinary drugs: Diclofenac was the primary cause of the catastrophic Gyps vulture crash in the 1990s–2000s. Although veterinary diclofenac is officially banned in India, illegal use persists, and other NSAIDs harmful to vultures remain in circulation — hampering recovery. Recent policy briefs and surveys document ongoing unsafe NSAID use at carcass sites.
• Habitat loss and land-use change: Tree felling, quarrying, infrastructure, and changes in pastoral practices have degraded traditional nesting and foraging habitats, forcing colonies to abandon historic sites. The inability of vultures to recolonise lost sites contributes to the reported decline in vulture nesting sites.
• Carcass availability & competition: Changes in livestock management, declines in safe carcass availability, and increased competition (including by feral dogs) reduce food security for vultures and affect breeding success. WII notes carcass-site threats as a continuing concern.
• Small clutch sizes & slow reproduction: Vultures raise very few young (often one chick per year), so population recovery is naturally slow and highly sensitive to adult mortality. This life history means the decline in vulture nesting sites can persist decades after the original shock.

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Conservation Actions So Far — And Why Recovery Is Uneven

Conservation efforts since the diclofenac crisis have included bans on veterinary diclofenac, vulture-safe veterinary programs, captive-breeding and release, and targeted protection at nesting hotspots. These actions halted the most extreme declines and have enabled modest recoveries in pockets (notably in Nepal). But the WII report shows recovery in India is patchy: illegal drug use, alternative toxic NSAIDs, habitat fragmentation, and weak enforcement slow recolonisation of historic sites, and explain why the decline in vulture nesting sites remains so severe nationally.

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Regional Hotspots and Where the Problem Is Concentrated

The WII assessment identifies clear geographic concentrations: Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan account for almost two-thirds of nests; many cliff-nesting populations are concentrated in central and western India; Assam remains critical for the slender-billed vulture. These regional patterns matter for conservation planning because they show where protection, monitoring, and anti-poison measures should be prioritised to stem the decline in vulture nesting sites and stabilise remaining colonies.

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What the Numbers Mean For Ecosystems and People

Vultures are ecological cleaners: efficient scavengers that rapidly remove carcasses and reduce the spread of disease. The loss of nesting sites (and the populations they support) can have cascading effects — increased feral-dog numbers, higher carcass persistence, and potential rises in zoonotic risks where sanitation and carcass management are poor. The WII report’s documentation of a 72% decline in vulture nesting sites, therefore, has implications for both biodiversity and public health policy.

Short data table (key figures)

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What Needs to Happen Next

WII and conservation partners recommend a multi-pronged approach: strictly enforce bans on toxic veterinary drugs and clamp down on illegal NSAID use; scale up safe carcass-management schemes; protect and restore nesting habitat; expand monitoring and rapid-response teams to address local poisoning events; and support community-led stewardship that links livelihoods with vulture conservation. Given the stark decline in vulture nesting sites, prioritising hotspot protection and rapid mitigation measures is urgent.

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FAQs

1. How did WII calculate the 72% figure?

WII compared 425 historically recorded nesting sites (compiled from literature) with field verification (Feb 2023–Jan 2025) that found nesting at 120 of those historic sites — the shortfall yields the reported ~72% decline in vulture nesting sites.

2. Which vulture species are worst affected?

The Slender-billed Vulture lost all 47 of its known historical nesting sites and is now confined to small pockets in Upper Assam. The White-rumped Vulture also experienced catastrophic range contraction, being recorded at only ~69 sites. Other Gyps species show variable but concerning declines.

3. Is diclofenac still a problem?

Yes. Although veterinary diclofenac is officially banned, illegal use and the use of other toxic NSAIDs continue to pose threats; surveys and policy briefs document continued unsafe NSAID availability and use. Stronger enforcement and safer veterinary alternatives are still needed.

4. Can vultures recolonise lost nesting sites?

Recolonisation is possible but slow. Vultures’ low reproductive rates and ongoing threats (poison, habitat loss) mean many historic sites remain vacant unless threats are removed and active restoration or translocation interventions are applied.

5. How can local communities help?

Communities can support safe carcass disposal, report poisoning incidents, participate in nest monitoring, and adopt vulture-friendly livestock practices. Community engagement has been central to successful recovery stories elsewhere and is a key recommendation in the WII report.

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