Asian white-backed vulture- Gyps bengalensis – Critically Endangered

The Asian white-backed vulture has recently undergone a catastrophic population crash, which threatens the survival of this species. It is a medium-sized vulture, with the blunt talons and bare head that characterise this group of carrion-feeding birds. The wings are black, whilst the neck-ruff, rump and underwings are white. The bare head and neck are black and the bill is silver.

Family: ACCIPITRIDAE
Order: FALCONIFORMES
Class: AVES

Previously abundant throughout southern Asia, the white-backed vulture had all but disappeared from South East Asia by the mid-20th century In contrast, this vulture remained fairly common on the Indian subcontinent until the late 1990s when populations underwent sudden and catastrophic declines throughout the region, prompting the species to be upgraded to Critically Endangered.

The use of drug Diclofenac to cattle is the major reason for the gradual decline of this species. Though the drug is restricted to use in the veterinary field, it is widely availabe for anybody without any prescribtion from the authorities in India.

Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus)

Source: http://www.iucnredlist.org/

The Egyptian Vulture has a large range, including southern Europe, Africa, and central Asia to northern India and Nepal. Nevertheless, this species has been uplisted from Least Concern to Endangered on the 2007.

Red List following a very recent and extremely rapid population decline in India combined with severe long term declines in Europe (>50% over the last three generations) and West Africa, plus ongoing declines through much of the rest of its African range, owing to a variety of threats. Declines in parts of Africa are likely to have been driven by loss of wild ungulate populations and overgrazing in some areas by livestock. Disturbance, lead poisoning (from gun-shot) and collision with powerlines are currently impacting European populations.

In India, it appears that the veterinary drug Diclofenac is driving the recent rapid declines. The drug used in cattle which is directly affected while feeding them. In Morocco at least, the species is taken for use in traditional medicine. Photo © Bernard Castelein/naturepl.com

INDIAN ELEPHANT- Elephas maximus indicus

The Indian Elephant, Elephas maximus indicus, is one of four subspecies of the Asian Elephant, the largest population of which is found in India. This subspecies is also found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Laos, Peninsular Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Elephants face threat in terms of Poaching for Tusks, electrocution (live wire) by farmers who live in and around elephant habitats, Road& Rail Accidents & Poisoning.

The population especially the Tuskers is decling at an alarming rate. Urgent intervention to protect this magnificant creation is requested. 'PROJECT ELEPHANT' - Shall be effectivly implemented.