Assam Makes Conservation Milestone With Release of 10 Captive-Bred Vultures

Guwahati: Assam has achieved a major milestone in vulture conservation with the release of 10 captive-bred vultures into the wild, a move described by conservation authorities as a global first.

Five slender-billed vultures and five white-rumped vultures were soft-released on August 7 from the Jatayu Soft Release Centre at Tewaripal in Biswanath district, according to the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS).

The vultures were bred under a joint conservation programme of the Assam Forest Department and BNHS, which has been underway since 2007. Around three months before their release, the birds were shifted from the Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre at Rani to the Biswanath release aviary, where they were given time to acclimatise to natural conditions.

The initiative comes amid a sharp decline in India's vulture population. White-rumped and slender-billed vultures, among the Gyps species, witnessed population declines of nearly 99 per cent over two decades, largely due to poisoning caused by veterinary drugs such as diclofenac.

Following the crisis, diclofenac was banned for veterinary use, while restrictions were also introduced on other harmful drugs, including aceclofenac, ketoprofen and nimesulide.

Vultures in Assam also face the threat of secondary poisoning from pesticides applied to livestock carcasses, which form an important part of their diet.

The dedicated release aviary at Biswanath was established by Kaziranga National Park to facilitate the scientific reintroduction of captive-bred vultures into their natural habitat.

During the release, officials operated the aviary remotely through a pulley system to avoid disturbing the birds. Their movements are being monitored using a CCTV-equipped observation tower.

Each released bird has been fitted with a numbered blue leg ring and a tracking tag, enabling researchers and forest officials to monitor their movements and survival after release.

BNHS has appealed to livestock owners and the public to avoid banned veterinary NSAIDs and not spray pesticides on animal carcasses. People who spot the tagged vultures have also been asked to report the sightings to the Forest Department or BNHS to help assess the success of the reintroduction programme.

Also Read: Assam Plans to Reduce Kaziranga Eco-Sensitive Zone to 1 Km, Says CM Himanta Biswa Sarma