Himalayan Griffon Vulture

#GS-03 Biodiversity Conservation

The Himalayan griffon vulture is an Old World vulture (Accipitridae) native to the Himalayas and the adjoining Tibetan Plateau.
Himalayan Griffon Vulture is not the same as Eurasian griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), which is a similar species.
It mostly lives in the higher reaches of the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau at an elevation of above 1500 metres.
They are found in western and central China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bhutan, and Mongolia.
Even though they are also susceptible to diclofenac poisoning, Himalayan griffon vulture populations have not shown signs of rapid

Scientific Name: Gyps himalayensis

IUCN Status: Near Threatened

Genus: Gyps

Wildlife Protection Act 1972: Schedule IV

Old World vultures are found in the Old World, i.e. the continents of Europe, Asia and Africa.
They belong to the family Accipitridae, which includes eagles, buzzards, kites, and hawks along with vultures.
Old World Vultures specifically belong to the sub family Aegypiinae of Accipitridae.

India is home to 9 species of Vulture which are,
The Oriental white-backed, Long-billed, Slender-billed, Himalayan, Red-headed, Egyptian, Bearded, Cinereous and the Eurasian Griffon.
Bearded Vulture, Long-billed Vulture, Slender-billed Vulture, Oriental white-backed Vulture are protected under the Schedule-1 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.

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