In light of the recent catastrophic population decline of Gyps vultures caused due to the veterinary drug diclofenac, we evaluated the status and distribution of the vulture population in Abdasa, Mandvi, Lakhpat, Bhuj, Mundra and Nakhatrana tehsils of Kutch.

Vulture encounter rates were determined in the non breeding season (2371 km effort) and breeding season (4697 km effort) while traveling in an open vehicle at a slow speed during times when vultures were likely to be active.  Encounter rates between winter (non breeding season) and late summer (breeding season) i.e. 29 and 24 vultures encountered per 100 km.

Twenty four nests of white backed vultures (WBV) were intensively monitored while another 44 nests were intermittently monitored to assess hatching and fledging success. A nesting success of 71%

(SE 0.73%) was recorded with 7% mortality attributed to human causes and 22% to natural causes. The proportion of juvenile plumage WBV in the population was 43% (SE 5% n = 2016 vulture sightings). Considering that 50% of the adult WBV bred each year and that juvenile plumage is retained for 3 years after fledging, the average mortality rate for fledglings was computed to be 19%.

A questionnaire survey was conducted to evaluate the awareness and attitude of the various sects of society towards the vulture crisis.  A total of 1074 persons were interviewed, a large majority (>90%) were aware of the decline in vulture numbers and 40% were aware of the cause of decline. In-spite of the media campaign and WII’s program of exchanging meloxicam for diclofenac with veterinary practitioners and cattle owners its use continues in Kutch.