Beyond Tigers, Bandhavgarh’s Vulture Population Rises To 388, Seven Species Recorded In MP
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is widely known for i ts rich tiger population. However, the reserve is also emerging as an important habitat for vultures, with their numbers witnessing a steady rise over the past few years. Seven different vulture species have been recorded in the reserve. According to census figures, Bandhavgarh had 172 vultures in 2021, including 159 large…
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, renowned for its thriving tiger population, is also gaining recognition as a crucial habitat for vultures. The census of 2026 reveals a substantial increase in the vulture population, with a total of 388 birds, including 358 large vultures and 30 small vultures. This marks a significant rise from the 172 vultures recorded in 2021, which comprised 159 large vultures and 13 small vultures.
The reserve now hosts seven different species of vultures. These include the long-billed vulture, also known as the Indian vulture, which is frequently sighted in Bandhavgarh. It possesses a robust beak ideal for tearing apart carcasses and consuming dead animals. The Egyptian vulture, another resident, is smaller in size but highly resourceful. It uses its sharp beak to extract flesh lodged between bones from carcasses left by other carnivorous animals.
Other species present in Bandhavgarh are the red-headed vulture, white-rumped vulture, cinereous vulture, Himalayan griffon, and Eurasian griffon. The ongoing conservation efforts seem to have played a pivotal role in this population surge, with the numbers increasing from 300 in 2024 to the current 388, as recorded on May 24, 2026. This growing vulture population further underscores Bandhavgarh's significance as a habitat for these birds.
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