A griffon vulture is released at Kakkapadam, Muthanga in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. | Photo credit: Sakeer Hussain
Forest officials rescued the critically endangered white-banded vulture, which was found weak and grounded at Mampad near Nilambur last week. It was a rare vulture sighting for both the residents and the forest staff.
The Rapid Response Team (RRT) of Nilambur South Division took custody of the bird and gave it treatment under the guidance of Assistant Forest Veterinary Officer Shyam. After two days, she was shifted to the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, where RRT Sulthan Bathery monitored her for another two days before releasing her in Kakkappadam, a key hotspot for Kerala’s vulture population.
Karimpuzha Wildlife Warden Dhanik Lal G. said this was the first vulture sighting in Nilambur in recent times. Although its origin remains unclear, officials believe it may have escaped from Wayanad, Kerala’s only known vulture, possibly in search of food, said Vishnu O., a biologist and vulture conservationist at the sanctuary. He said the bird had no serious health problems.
The white-banded vulture is cared for in Nilambur. | Photo credit: SAKEER HUSSAIN
Wayanad Wildlife Warden Varun Dalia said that vultures are a sign of a healthy forest ecology and that the region supports a strong population of various vultures. The survival of vultures is closely related to predators such as tigers and leopards.
Wayanad hosts griffon, red-headed and Indian vultures. A 2024 raptor survey recorded 80 vultures on the refuge, and three-quarters of them were griffon vultures.
Mr. Vishnu said Wayanad also attracted migratory species like the Himalayan griffon, cinereous and Egyptian vultures. Around 300 griffon vultures were recorded across the Nilgiri landscape comprising Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu at the last census. “This is the largest population of white vultures in India,” Mr Vishnu said.
A wake of vultures feeding on carrion at Kakkappadam, Muthanga. | Photo credit: SAKEER HUSSAIN
“Unlike parts of northern India where vulture numbers have declined due to toxic contamination from dependence on landfills, Wayanad’s vultures mainly feed on natural carrion. Diclofenac poisoning is also much less prevalent here,” Mr Vishnu said.
Globally, the species’ population has collapsed from millions in the 1980s to fewer than 6,000 in 2021.
“With a wingspan of about 2.5 meters, watching this bird soar high in the thermals is a remarkable sight,” said Wildlife Assistant Rahul R. Thermals, or rising warm air, allow vultures to soar effortlessly to great heights without flapping their wings in search of food.
Published – 14 Feb 2026 21:04 IST