Vultures recover in India’s Panna after near extinction
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In Panna, India, populations of vultures are rebounding after a decline of over 99 percent between the 1990s and mid-2000s.
The crash stemmed from kidney failure and gout in vultures that consumed livestock treated with the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac. Conservationists like Sushil Chikane highlight the recovery as a major success for both wildlife and public health, as vultures quickly remove carcasses preventing the spread of disease.
Panna’s geography, with its sandstone cliffs and tiger reserve, provides ideal nesting habitat and a natural food supply for the birds. The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board notes that seven of India’s nine vulture species are found in the region. Authorities responded to the crisis by restricting diclofenac, protecting habitats, monitoring populations, and establishing a breeding centre near Bhopal in 2014. Local communities are now actively involved in conservation efforts.
Usha Patel, a community representative, recalls not seeing vultures for years and now feels pride in watching them return to the landscape. The state is developing tourism initiatives to educate visitors about the ecological importance of vultures and the ongoing restoration work. The recovery demonstrates the impact of regulating veterinary drugs and the importance of a collaborative approach to conservation.
