A study on vulture nesting in Ahmedabad and Surendranagar by Gujarat University has revealed that vulture nesting success is about 57% in both districts whereas maximum number of nests failed within the incubation stage. In an attempt to find reasons for nesting failures, with a decline in vulture population globally, two professors from the Zoology department of Gujarat University undertook a study in Ahmedabad and Surendranagar districts. The study ­— A record of white-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis) nesting in Ahmedabad and Surendranagar districts of Gujarat — undertaken by Professor Moradiya Mital and Professor Jhala Devendrasinh from the Department of Zoology, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, not only found the success and failure rates of the nests, but also discovered that one of the main reasons for the decline in vulture population is environmental and anthropogenic pressure. The study recommended more tree plantation near feeding sites and creating shallow artificial water bodies to prevent dehydration. Vultures are scavengers and flesh-eating raptors which feed at carcass dumping sites. A total of 46 nests of white-rumped vultures were recorded, of which 15 were in Ahmedabad district and 31 were in Surendranagar. The nest-building period was observed to be during October and November. The most used tree species for nests was Neem followed by Ambali, Banyan, Khijado, Peepal, Jamun, Palm and Shirish trees.

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