Q. What is the IUCN status of ‘Indian Vulture’ recently seen in the news?
Answer:
Critically Endangered
Notes: Recently spotted in Thane after a two-decade absence, the Indian vulture (Gyps indicus) is an Old World scavenger native to Asia. Recognized for their longer beaks, they primarily feed on carcasses of dead animals. Females are smaller than males. With a drastic 97-99% population decline, they face extinction due to poisoning from diclofenac, a veterinary drug. Classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, urgent conservation efforts are crucial to their survival in India, Pakistan, and Nepal.