Six Himalayan Vultures die due to poisoning in Kalaigaon

FROM A CORRSPONDENT

KALAIGAON, March 17: Six endangered species of Himalayan Vultures died and two were critically ill in Udmari village near Kalaigaon police station in Darrang district on Wednesday due to poisoning.

The incident has caused sensation in the district and everybody has condemned the poisoning of the innocent vultures. According to report, the migratory Himalayan vultures had eaten poisonous substances put in the carcass of a goat meant for a pack of stray dogs causing mece in the village. The carcass was kept in an open paddy field by the owner of the goat.

The flock of eight Himalayan vultures after consuming the carcass had fallen seriously ill and started dying at 1 pm. The matter was brought to the notice of PCCF (Wildlife), Assam by Jayanta Kumar Das, wildlife activists of Udalguri district. Circle Officer of Kalaigaon, DN Hazarika arranged veteriry first aid for two vultures struggling for life. In the meantime, six vultures had already died before any treatment could be arranged. Wildlife officials from Mangaldai Forest Division who had arrived at the scene at 7.30 pm rescued the two vultures struggling for their lives with the help of wildlife activist Jayanta Kumar Das and some local boys.

ture-loving people and wildlife activists of Darrang and Udalguri have expressed deep shock at the death of six endangered species of Himalayan vultures at Udmari village. They have urged the wildlife department of Assam to immediately launch awareness programme in the villages frequently visited by vultures and other migratory birds. A few youths of Udmari village -Hemanta Saharia,Partha, Pratim Sarma, Sidhartha Saharia - did a commendable job in rescuing two vultures. According to latest update, the rescued vultures are recovering well in Mangaldai.