JAISALMER: A significant increase in the presence of raptors, especially threatened and Schedule I species such as the Steppe Eagle and other vultures, has been observed in Desert National Park in Jaisalmer. This unusual congregation has been reported across Jaisalmer and adjoining border areas, where officials have recorded a clear rise in their numbers compared to previous years.A large number of these migratory vultures, including Steppe Eagles, have not yet returned to their native regions. Possible reasons include relatively cooler weather due to continuous rainfall, favorable habitat conditions in the Desert National Park, and disruptions in migratory routes caused by ongoing conflicts in Gulf and Middle Eastern regions. These factors are currently being studied. Researchers from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) are also actively studying Steppe Eagles.Under the Thar Raptor Ecology Project, WII is investigating the decline in raptor populations in the Thar Desert around Desert National Park and suggesting targeted conservation measures. As part of this effort, experts and researchers have so far tagged four vultures with GPS transmitters in the Jaisalmer DNP region.Additionally, researchers have fitted GPS transmitters to two Tawny Eagles (Aquila rapax) and two Egyptian Vultures (Neophron percnopterus) to study their movement patterns and habitat use, aiming to identify priority conservation areas.According to Forest Department officials, Steppe Eagles are migratory birds that typically arrive in the region during winter. However, their higher-than-usual presence this year has raised questions about possible changes in their migration patterns. Officials monitoring the situation believe that this trend could also be linked to external environmental or geopolitical factors affecting traditional migratory routes.Brajmohan Gupta, Deputy Conservator of Forests at Desert National Park, stated that the park provides a suitable habitat for these migratory birds, which may be another reason for their increased presence. He said that due to western disturbances, the weather has remained relatively cool, and the availability of food and water is adequate—leading to delays in their return. He also noted that some vultures did not migrate back last year and have adapted well to the park’s environment, even nesting there.He further added that delays in the return of Steppe Eagles and other vultures may result in some not going back at all. Some scientists also believe that ongoing conflicts in the Middle East could be affecting their migration routes, though this remains a subject of further research.District Forest Officer Devendra Singh Bhati said that field observations and inputs from colleagues indicate a slight increase in the number of Steppe Eagles in the region. He added that many of these birds typically migrate through parts of the Middle East—such as Israel, Iraq, and surrounding regions—which are currently affected by conflict. It is being speculated, though not yet confirmed, that disturbances in these areas may be contributing to delays in their migration.WII researcher Manas Shukla explained that the Thar Raptor Ecology Project studies competition at carcass sites in the desert ecosystem to understand how food availability is affected among scavenger species. The study is primarily being conducted around Desert National Park, where researchers have tracked interactions among different “guilds.”These include six vulture species—White-rumped, Red-headed, Egyptian, Cinereous, Himalayan Griffon, and Eurasian Griffon; three eagle species—Tawny, Steppe, and Imperial; and mammalian scavengers such as wild pigs, white-footed foxes, and free-ranging dogs.The project aims to understand how competition for limited resources affects ecological balance and the food chain. As part of the tagging of four vultures, the study integrates ecological monitoring with community engagement. Camera traps have been installed at carcass sites to observe visitation patterns of raptors and their interactions with other scavengers like migratory vultures, feral dogs, and pigs.Simultaneously, awareness programs are being conducted to encourage local communities to adopt practices that reduce threats to raptors. These include promoting the use of non-toxic alternatives to harmful NSAIDs in livestock treatment and conserving khejri trees, which are crucial nesting sites for these birds.Overall, the ongoing study in the Jaisalmer desert continues to examine how competition at carcass sites influences food availability among scavengers, with a primary focus on the ecosystem around Desert National Park.
