World Journal of Zoology 6 (4): 350-356, 2011 ISSN 1817-3098 IDOSI Publications, 2011

Status of Raptors with Special Reference to Vultures in and Around Rajaji National Park, India
Sunit Kr. Das, Anil Dashahare, Sanskruti Marathe, N. Kundu and R. Kesharwani Wildlife Institute of India, Post Box: 18, Chandrabani, Dehradun-248001, India
Abstract: In Terai Arc Landscape of India, Rajaji National Park (RNP) is one of the key conservation areas for wildlife and well-known for its avian diversity. We recorded 27species of raptors from RNP, where six species were vultures. Two species of raptors such as Asio otus and Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus, are first time recorded from the park. We found in RNP Spilornis cheela is one of the most common raptor species. On the basis of direct observations and previous literatures out of 27 species 9 are considered as common, 6 occasional, 5 winter visitor and 7 as rare species inside the park. Among vultures Gyps himalayensis is the most common species in RNP. Sporadic fire, cattle grazing and illegal N.T.F.P. collection by local communities are the major threats to the park ecosystem that we observed which reduces available safe nesting, roosting sites and prey base for the raptors. Key words: Raptor % Status % Vultures % Rajaji National Park % Conservation % Threat INTRODUCTION Birds of prey are among the most dramatic of all the avian species and represents by 313 species from whole world [1]. Their remarkable appearance, spectacular hunting skills and mastery of the air have inspired generations of bird watchers. Birds of prey or commonly known as Raptors are found all over the world and in all types of habitats, which are considered as the indicator of the health of the forest [2]. They also have sharp binocular vision and exceptional hearing capacity. They vary widely in size from miniature owls to majestic Andean condors and also have different body shapes, although all of them are built for speed and efficient hunting. All raptors share a hooked beak, sharp talons used for catching and killing prey and excellent vision. In Indian culture raptors always have a special position as Gaduda, usually the mount Vahanam of the God Vishnu. They were also mentioned in the great Hindu epic Ramayana as Jatayu and Sampathi which were mainly the vultures. Among raptors vultures are one of the special groups which feed solely on dead carcasses and the primary consumers of carrion in India and elsewhere. The ecological, social and cultural significance of vultures in India may be summed up as: scavenging on animal carcasses and thereby helping keep the environment clean[3]. They are the natures most efficient scavengers, which are on the verge of extinction. In this study it was targeted to get baseline information on raptors with special reference to the vultures and also to collect information about their conservation needs. MATERIAL AND METHODS In Terai Arc Landscape of India Rajaji National Park is one of the key conservation areas for wildlife and well-known for its avian diversity. It is situated in the Siwalik Hills of the sub mountain Himalayan Region representing various ecosystems which are rich with wildlife. It stretches over an area of 820.32 sq.km. (Fig. 1) and lies between 2915 to 3031N Latitude and 7752 and 7822E Longitude. Mainly the study was restricted to the Chilla and Gohri range of the park. The Siwalik ranges of the park constitute an alluvial formation and are low ranges between the Himalaya and Indo-Gangetic plain [4]. The forest types of the park is mainly divided as Northern Indian Moist Deciduous and Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous [5], where Sal (Shorea robusta) as the principal constituent with the associated species like Tectona grandis, Haldunia longifolia, Mellotus philipensis, Lagerstromea parvifloa, Termanalia tomentosa and Bauhinia racemosa.

Corresponding Author: Sunit Kr. Das, Research Personnel, Wildlife Institute of India, Post Box No. 18, Chandrabani, Dehradun-248001, India.

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Fig. 1: Land covers Map of the Study Area (Rajaji National Park) RESULTS Species Accounts: During the study period we recorded 27 species of birds of prey from the Rajaji National Park area of Uttrakhand State and the satiation curve (Fig. 2) of only fifty days of observation describes that the resulting birds of prey list is realistically comprehensive. They are listed below in the Table 1, with the status and description of their sighting records in and around the park. DISCUSSION A thorough knowledge of living forms of a Conservation Area is very essential for proper management. Raptors are the indicators of healthy forest ecosystem and therefore it is necessary to monitor them. We observed that most of the species were widespread inside the park and Spilornis cheela is considered as one of the most common raptor species in RNP. On the basis of direct observations, we recorded 27 species (Table 1), where 9 are considered as common, 6 occasional, 5 winter visitor and 7 rare species inside the park. Among vultures Gyps himalayensis is the most common species in the study area. When all over the world vulture population faces crisis, the presence of five vulture species inside

Fig. 2: Cumulative number of raptor species recorded from Rajaji National Park, February to March, 2011. The majestic River Ganga flows throw the National Park for a distance of 24 km., besides the innumerable streams and brooks making it rich and diverse. The raptors of Rajaji are described based on a study carried out from February, 5 to March 26, 2011. Birds were identified using 10 x 40 Bushnell binocular and spot identification and information on their residential status is based on [6], [7] and [8].Standardized common and scientific names of species follow [9].

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Table 1: List of raptor species recorded in Rajaji National park with their status and sighting records Species Common Name CRESTED SERPENT EAGLE BLACK EAGLE PALLAS FISH EAGLE GREY-HEADED FISH EAGLE SHORT-TOED SNAKE EAGLE LESSER-SPOTTED EAGLE. CHANGEABLE HAWK EAGLE BLACK SHOULDERED KITE BLAKE KITE OSPREY ORIENTAL HONEY BUZZARD WHITE EYED BUZZARD EURASIAN MARSH-HARRIER SHIKRA COMMON KESTREL BROWN HAWK OWL LONG EARED OWL JUNGLE OWLET SPOTTED OWLET BROWN FISH OWL EURASIAN SPARROW HAWK EGYPTIAN VULTURE Scientific Name Spilornis cheela Ictinaetus malayensis Haliaeetus leucoryphus Status and Sighting description One of the most common raptor species in Rajaji. Occasionally seen in the forest under storey. Rare, sighted only once with its nest on 10 February. That individual just used a tall Simul Tree (Bombax ceiba) to build its nest. Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus Very rare to sight and recorded on 27 February from Gangakinare side of the park. Circaetus gallicus Aquila pomarina. Spizaetus cirrhatus Elanus caeruleus Milvus migrans Pandion haliaetus Pernis ptilorhyncus Butastur teesa Circus aeruginosus Accipiter badius. Falco tinnunculus Ninox scutulata Asio otus Glaucidium radiatum Athene brama Ketupa zeylonensis Accipiter nisus Neophron percnopterus Occasionally sighted inside the park. They were recognized in the field by their predominantly white underside. Rare to sight and only once it was recorded from Mithawali Rest House area on 3 May. Occasionally seen inside the forest area. Common raptor species and widespread inside the park. Very Common species mainly sighted near to the human settlements outside the actual park boundary and common inside the park. A common winter visitor sighted seven times in the Bhimgoda barrage area. Wide spread inside the park and a common winter visitor. Common species with eight sightings mainly in the Gohri range of the park, but also recorded from the Chilla range and from the adjoining areas of the park. Occasionally sighted, two times this species was sighted near to the Mundal Beat House. Very common raptor species and wide spread inside and adjoining areas of the park. A Common winter visitor to the park, seen on 20, 28 February and 17 March. Common Species and previously recorded from the park. In the present it was sighted twice from the Gangakinare side of the park. Very rare and one individual was photo captured on 24 March from Gangakinare area of the park. This is a nocturnal species and seen perched in a tree in its daytime roost. Very common species with wide distribution inside the park and its adjoining areas. Very common species. White spotting on under parts, including crown. It is widespread species and sighted so many occasions during day time also. Rare to sight, one individual was sighted on 9 March near to the Ghasiram nullah. Winter visitor to the park. One individual was seen at the forest edge on 4 March. Resident to the park and a common vulture species inside RNP. A few individuals were regularly seen near to the areas of Mundal and Khara beat during the study period. Mainly they were observed in pairs. LONG-BILLED VULTURE Jabargarh CINEREOUS-VULTURE RED-HEADED VULTURE (KING VULTURE) INDIAN WHITE-RUMPED VULTURE Gyps bengalensis Resident to the park but occasionally sighted. Mainly observed during flight. Maximum 5 individuals were sighted near to the Mahenderghati Area on 27 February perching on a Haldunia longifolia tree. HIMALAYAN GRIFFON Gyps himalayensis Common vulture species of the park with a maximum of about 39 individuals recorded from Mundal Beat on 7 March. Aegypius monachus Sarcogyps calvus Gyps indicus Occasionally seen inside the forest with a maximum of 13 individuals near to the on 12 March. A common winter visitor and sighted six times during the study period with other species of vulture groups. Sighted only from Mundal, Jabargarh and Haldutop area of the park. Among vultures of Rajaji it is considered as the rarest species. On individual was recorded from Jabargarh row area on 19 March.

the park is a good sign. Out of nine species of vultures found in India [2], six species have been observed in Rajaji. Previously from RNP 312 species of Birds recorded [10], where more than 25 species of raptors. In the present study raptors such as GREY HEADED FISH EAGLE Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus (Image 1) and LONG EARED OWL Asio otus (Image 2) are first time included in the list 352

of avifaunal records from the park. Out of 27 species of raptors found in RNP Gyps bengalensis, Gyps indicus, Athene blewitti, Haliaeetus leucoryphus listed as Threatened Birds of the World[11]. Again Aegypius monachus and Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus were categorized as Near Threatened species into IUCN Red list [12]. Sarcogyps calvusis, which was sighted only once

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Photographs of Some Birds of Prey Sighted During study period

Image: 1. Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus,

Image:2. Asio otus

Image: 3. Haliaeetus leucoryphus.

Image: 4. Aegypius monachus

Image: 5. Neophron percnopterus All Photos by: Sunit K. Das 353

Image: 6. Gyps himalayensis

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Fig. 3: Composition of Different species of Vultures in Rajaji National Park on the basis of their sightings (February-March, 2011). (Species Code: HGV- Himalayan Griffon Vulture, LBV- Long-Billed Vulture, EV-Egyptian Vulture, CV-Cinereous Vulture, KV- King Vulture, WRV- White rumped Vulture) from the park also considered as critically endangered [13], while Neophron percnopterus was classified as endangered species [14]. In the present study a total of 318 individuals of six vulture species were recorded (Fig. 3). Among them Himalayan Griffon vulture was found to be the most abundant (n=232) species followed by Long-billed Vulture (n=33), Egyptian vulture (n=25), Cinereous vulture (n=15), White-rumped vulture (n=12) and King vulture, which was sighted only once (n=1). Multiple associations among different vulture species in RNP is mentioned in (Appendix: 1) and the total number of sightings (flocks) and mean flock size of each five

species of vultures recorded from RNP is given in the (Appendix: 2) with their percentage of flock size. A maximum of 39 individuals of Himalayan Griffon was recorded in a flock, where for Long-billed vulture the highest number was 13. We observed that vultures were mostly preferred trees like Haldunia longifolia, Tectona grandis, Bombax ceiba, Termanalia tomentosa, Dalbergia sissoo and Sisam trees Thespesia populnea (dead due to fungal infections) for their perching. We were unable to record nest or nesting site of any vulture species during the study period. From conservation point of view RNP appears to be one of the most successful national park [15]. But the people around the forest area heavily depend upon the forest resources. Sporadic fire (Image 7) and cattle grazing (Image: 9) are the two major threats to the park ecosystem that we observed during the study period with illegal non timber forest product (N.T.F.P.) collection by local communities (Image: 8). Although some studies suggest that Diclofenac (a medication used to treat inflammation and pain) is the main cause of the Gyps vulture decline, in this study we did not observe any death of vulture though the park and its adjoining areas area used by the cattles of local Gujjar communities. The area supports a high ungulate density of which~90% is contributed by chital Axis axis (41.510.7 SE) and sambar Cervus unicolor (21.3 4.1 SE) [16], which provides to the vultures further opportunity of continued existence on carnivore kills and reduces the dependence on carcasses of cattles. Areas around the park go through

Appendix: 1. Multiple associations among different vulture species recorded in Rajaji National Park (Feb-March, 2011) Species Association White-rumped Vulture + Long-Billed Vulture Long-Billed Vulture+ King Vulture Long-Billed Vulture + Egyptian Vulture Egyptian Vulture + Himalayan Griffon Vulture Egyptian Vulture + Himalayan Griffon Vulture + Cinereous Vulture Himalayan Griffon Vulture + Cinereous Vulture Number of Occasions 1 1 1 3 2 4

Appendix: 2. Number of individuals and percentage flock size recorded for five vulture species in Rajaji National Park, (Feb-March,2011) Flock size in % Number of Vulture Species White-rumped Vulture Long-Billed Vulture Cinereous Vulture Egyptian Vulture Himalayan Griffon King Vulture Sighting (Flocks) 5 7 8 12 26 1 Number of Individual 12 33 15 25 232 1 Mean Flock Size 2.4 4.85 1.87 2.08 8.92 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1 40 42.85 62.5 25 23.07 100 2-4 40 14.28 37.5 75 19.23 5-10 20 14.28 26.92 11-20 28.57 19.23 20-30 7.69 30-40 8.92 -

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Image 7: Sporadic Forest Fire in RNP

Image 8: Leaf collection by Local People

Image: 9. Cattle grazing with Chital in RNP All Photos by: Sunit Kr. Das the decreased landscape diversity due to extension of agricultural production. Together, these lead to habitat loss and create negative effect on available safe nesting, roosting sites and prey base for the raptors in Rajaji National Park. The raptors of RNP need a long term study in future to facilitate their conservation and management. To create awareness on avifauna and their habitat among all level of people it is necessary to establish training and exhibition programs especially among school students. An interpretation centre is necessary for the park management to create awareness about wildlife importance among public including the visitors. Finally it is good to see that still viable populations of different species of vultures are using the area of Rajaji National Park and flourish there, but if necessary steps are not taken in time, vultures might face the same fate of extinction as everywhere else in the country. 355 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT We are grateful to the Field director of Rajaji National Park for granting permission and the Forest Department for providing assistance during the field work. We also want to give special thanks to Director and Dean of Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Shri Qamar Qureshi and Dr. Y.V. Jhala Wildlife Institute of India for their encourgement during the field work. Finally we want to extend our thanks to all Tiger Project team members for their support. REFERENCES 1. Lees, J.F. and David A. Christie, 2001. Raptors of the World. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, NewYork-215, Park Avenue South.

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10. Pandey, S., J. Joshua and N.D. Rai, 1995. Birds of Rajaji National Park, India. Forktail, (10): 105. 11. BirdLife International, 2001. Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red DataBook. Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International. 12. Bird Life International, 2004. Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. 13. BirdLife International, 2007. Sarcogyps calvus. 2007 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2007. 14. Bird Life Internationalm, 2009. Neophron percnopterus. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009. 2. International Union for Conservation of Nature.http://www. iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/ details/144347. 15. Joshi, R., 2010. Train Accidental Deaths of Leopards Panthera pardus in Rajaji National Park: A Population in Threat. World Journal of Zoology, 5(3): 156-161. 16. Harihar, A., Bivash Pandav and S.P. Goyal, 2009. Density of leopards (Panthera pardus) in the Chilla range of Rajaji National Park, Uttrakhand, India. Mammalia, 73: 68-71.

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