Study Shows Relocating Carcass Dump by 2.4 km Curbs Vulture Electrocution in Dehradun

A study published in the Journal of Threatened Taxa highlights that moving a livestock carcass dumping site 2.4 km away from hazardous high-tension power infrastructure near Dehradun, Uttarakhand, successfully helped protect vultures from electrocution.

What Happened

Researchers documented vulture electrocution in the Sudhauwala area of Dehradun through 34 surveys conducted between May 2011 and February 2014. During this monitoring period, the team recorded 743 individual vultures representing five distinct species. They also found 46 vulture carcasses tied directly to electrocution near high-tension power transmission lines.

The study found that the Himalayan griffon (Gyps himalayensis) experienced the highest mortality rate relative to total observations, followed by the Eurasian griffon (Gyps fulvus) and the cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus). Following these findings, local authorities shifted the livestock carcass dump in April 2015 to a new location approximately 2.4 km away from the high-risk electrical grid.

Key Highlights

• Survey Scope: Thirty-four non-systematic surveys between May 2011 and February 2014 recorded 743 individual vultures across five species in Sudhauwala, Dehradun.
• Electrocution Fatalities: Forty-six vulture deaths caused by electrocution near high-tension power transmission structures were documented prior to the site move.
• Species Affected: Mortality relative to sightings was highest among Himalayan griffons, followed by Eurasian griffons and cinereous vultures.
• Intervention: In April 2015, authorities shifted the carcass dumping site 2.4 km away from the power infrastructure.
• Post-Move Results: Limited monitoring after the relocation revealed continued site use by vultures and other raptors, with zero electrocution deaths recorded.
• Study Authors: The paper was authored by Javed Anver, Yash Vardhan Singh Sengar, Bikash Ghimire, Vonchano Ngullie, Hemam Rama Nanda, Tashi P. Dorji, Ankit Sharma, Akshay Jain, Sas Biswas, Arun Kumar, and M. Muzahed.

Why This Matters

Vultures face severe global population declines across Asia and Africa due to multiple human-induced pressures, such as veterinary non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), poisoning, habitat loss, and food scarcity. The authors highlighted that power infrastructure electrocution has been among the most underreported threats to these scavengers. According to Javed Anver of the Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India, moving feeding grounds away from hazardous electrical lines provides a practical conservation tool that can be adopted in other regions facing similar risks.

What to Watch Next

Although no additional research has been carried out after 2015, the published findings suggest that shifting carcass disposal grounds can serve as an actionable model for other areas where power grids intersect with vulture feeding sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was the carcass dump moved?

The dump was shifted because 46 vultures were electrocuted by high-tension electrical transmission structures close to the original dumping area in Sudhauwala between 2011 and 2014.

Did vultures continue feeding after the relocation?

Yes. Observations confirmed that vultures, along with other raptor species like the black kite and crested serpent eagle, continued to visit and feed at the relocated site.

Were any vulture deaths reported after the move?

During the limited post-relocation monitoring conducted after the site was moved in April 2015, no vulture electrocution incidents were recorded.

Source: Based on research published in the Journal of Threatened Taxa and reporting by The Hindu.