Why is the number of Indian vultures declining?

        From time to time nature needs some clean up. Vultures are known as nature’s scavengers as they play a vital role in clearing up dead animals.

        The Indian vulture is listed as ‘critically endangered’ on the IUNC Red List since 2002. The major reason for the decline in their numbers is poisoning. Indian vultures are mainly carrion eaters, feeding on dead animals. Through the dead animals, a deadly poison called diclofenac gets into their bodies. The Indian vultures build their nests using sticks and straws on a cliff or on ruined buildings. These birds often build their nests in colonies. Their breeding takes place on hilly crags in central and peninsular India.

        The Indian vulture is from India, Pakistan and Nepal. It is medium sized, usually 80 to 103 centimetres in length with a wingspan of 1.96 to 2.38 metres.

Picture Credit : Google