RECENT TRENDS OF POPULATION AND NESTING OF THREATENED VULTURE SPECIES IN THAR DESERT OF RAJASTHAN, INDIA
RAM PRAKASH SARAN
Department of Zoology, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur (Rajasthan), 342001, India.
RAKESH KUMAWAT *
Department of Zoology, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur (Rajasthan), 342001, India.
ASHOK PUROHIT
Department of Zoology, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur (Rajasthan), 342001, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The data obtained the population fluctuation between seven species of vultures in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan is of great significance. A systematic study carried out the objective of demography, breeding, and nesting records of vulture species in Thar Desert of Rajasthan starting from 2016 and over three successive years. Linear regression used to determine a trend in the population of residents and migratory vulture species. Egyptian vulture observed the highest and White-backed vulture resulted in the lowest population trends. Potential records of nesting of resident vulture species also gathered at the right proportion. The patterns of declines and the presence of dead birds, various accidental tragedies, habitat loss, and windmills indicate some possible cause even after the ban on Diclofenac in 2006.
Keywords: Demography, nesting, thar desert, vulture.