There is good news for vulture enthusiasts and bird watchers as the Panna Tiger Reserve will be initiating a three-day “vulture estimation” exercise in the reserve from January 21.

The avian scavenger is protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife protection Act, 1972. Nine vulture species are found in the country — Oriental White-backed Vulture, Long-billed Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Indian Griffon Vulture, Himalayan Griffon, Cinereous Vulture, Slender-billed Vulture, Red-Headed Vulture and Bearded Vulture or Lammergeier. Of these, the first six are found in the Panna Tiger Reserve, including the endangered White-backed Vulture and the Long-billed Vulture.