Alarmed by the critically endangered status of vultures in the country, the forthcoming tiger census will also include the count of raptors from the respective States along with big cats. The report of the tiger census is expected to be released by January 20. The initiative has raised hopes for environmentalists as it will help to locate colonies of this near extinct species in select parts of the country. Vultures are protected under Schedule (I) of the Wildlife Protection Act. According to sources in National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the coming tiger census will be more comprehensive this time. It will not only have extensive information on big cats but on their habitat and prey as well. The increase in number of tigers as per the results of the first estimate is not expected to be very substantial from the last census figures of1,706 in 2011, they said. The census will also focus on tiger population living outside the protected zones. However, figures procured during the census show that Uttar Pradesh has shown encouraging trends in reviving the vulture population. At least 900 vultures were counted in 13 districts of the State. Further, a colony of long-billed vulture has also been spotted near Karera Bustard Sanctuary in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh. While the figures of this first ever vulture census are in the completion stages, sources in Uttar Pradesh forest department informed that the results are promising. Mainpuri having maximum 193 vultures is followed by Pilibhit with 125 vultures besides North and South Kheri together counting about 100 vultures. Further, this near extinct species has been sighted at two adjoining cliffs, 4km from Karera Sanctuary in Rajasthan with nearly 50 individuals. Five live vulture nests were sighted in the area where female was seen incubating, said Ajay Gadikar, ornithologist working on vultures in the area. The Indian sub-continent is home to nine species of vultures, of which the white-backed vulture, long-billed vulture and slender-billed vulture are the most endangered.