Nesting of White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India

Objectives: To study the breeding of critically endangered White-rumped vultures (Gyps bengalensis) in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, which is the only remaining natural habitat of vultures in Kerala State. Methods: A direct on-foot survey and a structured questionnaire survey were conducted among the residents within the sanctuary and forest department staff to locate the nesting locations. Findings: Three nesting locations of White-rumped Vultures were identified in three different forest ranges in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. Nest was seen in three tree species, Adina cordifolia, Dalbergia latifolia, and Stereospermum tetragonum. There is no significant change in the altitude of nest selection, all the nests were at an altitude of 820 m to 860 m. The nests were observed between 14 to 28 meters above the ground. The breeding success of this species in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is 64.7 percent. Novelty: Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is the only place in Kerala State where White-rumped vultures are breeding. The study results show that the number of vulture nests in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary has declined, which needs immediate intervention for the conservation of the remaining breeding population of the critically endangered White-rumped Vulture population of Kerala State. Keywords: White-rumped Vulture, Breeding, Nest site selection, Nesting trees, Breeding success