Radio-tagged White-Rumped Vulture Electrocuted in Tamil Nadu
A captive-bred, radio-tagged white-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis), released earlier this year at the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) in Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, was electrocuted after coming into contact with a power line. This incident occurred at Ebbanad village. The bird was initially released in Maharashtra in December 2025, then treated for illness in Karnataka, and finally released in MTR, which hosts a significant population of white-rumped vultures in South India. Its death marks the end of the first attempted reintroduction of a captively-bred bird of this species and could impact future conservation policies.
Key Points
- A radio-tagged white-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis) was electrocuted in Tamil Nadu.
- The vulture was part of a reintroduction program, initially released in Maharashtra and later in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR).
- MTR in Nilgiris district is home to a sizeable population of white-rumped vultures in South India.
- The death occurred due to contact with a power line at Ebbanad village.
- This incident has implications for future conservation policies regarding captive-bred vultures.
Exam Facts
- Species: White-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis).
- Location of electrocution: Ebbanad village, Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu.
- Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) is a key habitat for white-rumped vultures in South India.
- The bird was initially released in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra in December 2025.
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