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White-rumped Vulture

CR

Gyps bengalensis

Status

Critically Endangered

Population

~400-500 in Nepal, ~6,000 globally

Trend

↑Increasing

Group

Birds

Family

Accipitridae

Data Source

2025-2

Threat Summary

Poisoning from veterinary non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), particularly diclofenac and aceclofenac, in livestock carcasses remains the primary threat. Nepal banned diclofenac in 2006 but illegal use persists, and newer NSAIDs (nimesulide, ketoprofen) may also be toxic. Intentional poisoning of carcasses to kill carnivores incidentally kills vultures. Nepal's Vulture Safe Zone programme has demonstrated that localised NSAID control can reverse population declines. Threats are decreasing within safe zones.

Source: 2025-2

Threats (2)

Intentional poisoning of carcasses

Code: 5.1.3 · Severity: Rapid · Scope: Minority

Ongoing

Herbicides & pesticides (diclofenac poisoning)

Code: 9.3.3 · Severity: Very Rapid · Scope: Whole

Ongoing
Habitats (2)

Forest — Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland (Terai Sal)

Code: 1.6 · Suitable · Major importance

Artificial — Rural Gardens (nesting in village trees)

Code: 14.4 · Suitable

Countries (3)
BDBangladeshINIndiaNPNepal
Conservation Actions (0)

No conservation action data available

Taxonomy

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Accipitriformes

Family

Accipitridae

Genus

Gyps