In a significant move to protect its diminishing bird of prey populations, the Tamil Nadu government has launched the Tamil Nadu Raptor Research Foundation (TNRRF). This collaborative initiative, based at the Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC), aims to reverse the severe decline of raptor species including vultures, eagles, hawks, and falcons which were once common across the state. The move comes as a 2025 census revealed only 11 red-headed vultures remain in key reserves.
The Unsung Guardians of the Ecosystem
Unlike other flagship species like tigers and elephants, raptors have received little research attention despite their crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. Vultures, in particular, provide an invaluable ecosystem service by consuming animal carcasses, which prevents the spread of deadly pathogens and limits food sources for feral animals.
Their unique digestive systems allow them to safely break down decaying meat, preventing diseases like rabies from spreading. In doing so, they efficiently recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem and keep the environment clean.
Human Threats Driving the Decline
The sharp decline in raptor populations is largely attributed to human-related factors. The loss of large nesting trees due to deforestation and forest fragmentation has severely impacted their breeding habitats. Furthermore, human disturbance from logging and tourism frequently causes nest abandonment.
A major threat to vultures is the widespread misuse of toxic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as diclofenac in veterinary care. When vultures feed on the carcasses of livestock treated with these drugs, even minute residues can lead to fatal kidney failure.
Migratory raptors, such as the Steppe eagle and the Pallid harrier, also face threats from habitat loss in their wintering grounds, collisions with power lines, and illegal hunting. The new TNRRF plans to conduct a statewide survey to identify raptor hotspots and develop species-specific conservation measures for long-term protection, with the goal of ensuring these “guardians of our ecosystems” continue to soar.