CORRESPONDENTS
BISWANATH/JAMUGURI: Assam Forest Department, in collaboration with the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), initiated a historic vulture reintroduction programme, equipping critically endangered vultures with GSM-GPS satellite transmitters in the Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve.
Jayanta Mallabaruah, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of Assam, on Friday, visited the Jatayu Aviary at Biswanath Wildlife Division, Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve, and successfully carried out the soft release of 10 captive-bred vultures.
The released birds comprised five slender-billed vultures (Gyps tenuirostris) and five white-rumped vultures (Gyps bengalensis). The vultures were brought from the Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre (VCBC), Rani, Assam, to the Jatayu Aviary, where they underwent a three-month acclimatisation period in accordance with the internationally accepted soft-release protocol before being released into the wild. Prior to their release, all vultures were fitted with colour identification rings and GSM-GPS satellite transmitters to facilitate continuous post-release monitoring of their movements, survival, and adaptation in the wild.
This marks a historic global milestone, as it is the first-ever release of captive-bred slender-billed vultures equipped with GSM-GPS satellite transmitters for post-release monitoring anywhere in the world. The initiative places Assam and the Kaziranga landscape at the forefront of global vulture conservation. Both the slender-billed vulture and the white-rumped vulture are listed as critically endangered species. Their populations have suffered catastrophic decline, making conservation breeding and carefully managed reintroduction programmes vital for their recovery.
Following the vulture release programme, Minister Mallabaruah inaugurated the Florican Eco-Tourism Gate at Naromari in the Biswanath Wildlife Division and went on a brief vehicle safari along with Padma Hazarika, MLA of Naduar Legislative Assembly Constituency, and other dignitaries.
Also Read: Sixteen vultures found dead after suspected poisoning in Jamugurihat