An ecological crisis is currently unfolding across the rocky hill ranges of the Sri Sathya Sai district, wherein the endangered Egyptian Vulture, which was once a prevalent sight in the skies of Rayalaseema, is now approaching the brink of local extinction, raising significant concerns among wildlife experts and conservationists.

Known for its role as nature’s sanitation worker, the Egyptian Vulture has suffered a steep decline across India over the last two decades. In the dry scrub forests and rugged cliffs near Ratnagiri Fort in Rolla Mandal of Sri Sathya Sai District, close to the Karnataka border, researchers fear the species may be fighting its last battle for survival in the region.

The species, listed as “endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and protected under Schedule I of India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act, is being subjected to threats from habitat destruction, electrocution on high-tension power lines, shrinking food sources, accidental poisoning, and growing human interference in fragile hill ecosystems.

Ratnagiri Fort, with its towering rocky escarpments and semi-arid terrain, has long provided ideal nesting conditions for vultures and other raptors. During 2015-16, the hill range attracted the attention of wildlife scientists after an Anantapur-based photographer, V. Jayachandra, documented Egyptian Vultures there. The sighting had then revived hopes that the species could still recover in Rayalaseema’s drought-prone landscape.

Dr. V.V. Bala Subramanyam, Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, Sri Krishnadevaraya University in Anantapur, said that fresh field observations over the last three years have shown that sightings once again dropped sharply. He said that unchecked quarrying, reckless trekking near nesting cliffs, and disturbances caused by expanding human activity have been steadily destroying the birds’ remaining refuge.

“Our survey was carried out with the funds from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests. Though the project was primarily on the effects of windmills on the path of migratory birds, we could concentrate on the Egyptian Vulture habitat as a co-work, extensively covering the areas of Hindupur, Rolla, Roddam, and Penukonda areas of the combined Anantapur district,” he said.

The researcher said that appeals were made to wildlife experts and authorities at the Centre and State level, calling for urgent intervention, including scientific population surveys, protection of nesting micro-habitats, installation of bird diverters on hazardous power lines, and creation of “vulture-safe feeding zones.” Due to paucity of funds, further research could not be carried out on the subject, he said.

Dr. Bala Subramanyam stated that awareness campaigns among farmers and shepherd communities have been recommended to prevent the poisoning of the Egyptian Vulture species. This poisoning is caused by the dumping of carcasses of livestock that die due to contamination of food sources and excessive use of veterinary drugs.

“Disappearance of vultures could create serious ecological consequences, including poor carcass disposal and increased disease risks in rural ecosystems,” he said, adding that the Rayalaseema region could still protect the Egyptian Vulture species, despite the fragile natural heritage surviving within its ancient hills.