--- title: "From Air Force doctor to wildlife photographer, capturing India's rare vultures" url: https://projectchintan.com/article/air-force-doctor-wildlife-photography-vultures-8qw8w publisher: Project Chintan author: Project Chintan Newsroom section: Science & Technology published: 2026-09-04T03:00:35.950Z modified: 2026-09-04T05:30:03.332Z language: en-IN --- # From Air Force doctor to wildlife photographer, capturing India's rare vultures A former Indian Air Force squadron leader turned full-time wildlife photographer documents all nine vulture species found in India, highlighting their ecological role. His work spans multiple Indian states, including scenes of large vulture gatherings in Jaisalmer and significant counts in Madhya Pr ## Key takeaways - Ishan Pathak retired from the Indian Air Force in 2024 after five years of service to pursue wildlife photography full-time. - He documented over 100 vultures from four species at a single carcass near Jaisalmer. - India hosts nine vulture species that reside in or migrate to the country, out of 23 globally, and Pathak has photographed all nine in India. ## What Happened Ishan Pathak, formerly a specialist medical officer in the Indian Air Force, has transitioned to wildlife photography. While in the field near Jaisalmer, he observed a carcass attract a large group of vultures—over 100 birds from four different species gathered around it, marking a notable moment in his ongoing documentary work on vultures across India. Pathak’s career shift occurred in 2024 when he retired from the Air Force after five years of service and began pursuing wildlife photography full-time. His medical background and long-standing interest in forests and wildlife have shaped his approach to documenting birds and ecosystems under pressure. India hosts a high diversity of vulture species. Globally there are 23 vulture species, and nine of these species either reside in or migrate to India, according to Pathak’s reporting. He has aimed to photograph all nine species that are present in the country. Among Pathak’s notable observations is a cinereous vulture feeding on the exposed heart of a mongoose in the desert landscapes of Rajasthan, a frame he regards as emblematic of his work’s focus on the ecological roles vultures play rather than romanticizing wildlife. ## Why It Matters Pathak frames vultures as essential ecological workers that help prevent disease and regulate carcasses, underscoring their importance to public health and landscape health. His work seeks to reframe public perception of vultures, moving away from stigma toward understanding their role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. ## Background Pathak earned his medical degree in China and later completed an MD in public health in Karnataka. He worked as an assistant professor in Kerala before joining the Indian Air Force as a specialist medical officer. He retired in 2024 as a squadron leader and began full-time photography, traveling across India to document vulture species in diverse habitats—from forests to deserts and grasslands. ## Key Facts - Location of a major observed vulture congregation: near a carcass in the countryside around Jaisalmer. - Observed more than 100 vultures from four species at a single carcass. - Pathak is 37 years old at the time of the observation. - In 2024, Pathak retired from the Indian Air Force after five years of service and began full-time wildlife photography. - India hosts nine vulture species that reside in or migrate to the country, out of 23 globally recognized vulture species. - Pathak has photographed all nine vulture species found in India. - Notable image cited: a cinereous vulture feeding on the heart of a mongoose in Rajasthan’s desert. ## What Happens Next Pathak’s ongoing project aims to document all nine Indian vulture species, spanning multiple states including Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, as part of a broader effort to portray vultures beyond misperceptions and to highlight their ecological significance in Indian ecosystems. --- Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/air-force-doctor-wildlife-photography-vultures-8qw8w Reported from: Multiple Sources