Population Status and Seasonal Distribution of Vultures in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu, India.

Abstract

The present study on the status of vultures in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR), Tamil Nadu has carried out by Road Transect Method from January to October 2018. A total of 1220 kilometers were covered through five road transects with varying distances. In total, 1602 vulture individuals (Mean &SE80.01±3.01) were sightedbelonging to four species. Of which, the Critically endangered White-rumped Vulture Gypsbengalensis (n=1405, 70.25±2.75) was the dominant species, followed by Long-billed Vulture Gypsindicus, Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus, and Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus. Among the seasons, more vulture individuals were encountered during the summer count (Anova C2=6.92, df=2, p=0.037) in the study area.