A sight of Himalayan griffon vulture (Gyps himalayensis) at Kaswa Baberpur - Ajitmal Auraiya UP, India

Abstract

The Himalayan griffon (Gyps himalayensis) is an Old World vulture closely related to the European Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus). The species was present in large numbers, along the Himalayas and the adjoining Tibetan Plateau. In Southern and Southeastern Asia until the 1990s and declined rapidly in numbers since; up to 99.9% between 1992 and 2007. In 1985 the species was described as possibly the most abundant large bird of prey in the world and often considered a nuisance, but is now listed as critically Endangered species.