In a major boost to India’s vulture conservation efforts, the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) will begin reintroducing two critically endangered vulture species into the wild in Assam starting January. The move marks a crucial new phase in the country’s long-running vulture recovery programme.
BNHS, which has successfully bred more than 800 vultures across its conservation centres, is preparing to release Slender-billed and White-rumped vultures back into their natural habitat.
“Teams from BNHS, supported by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the Assam Forest Department, are currently conducting village meetings and awareness drives to educate local communities ahead of the release,” said an official of the state forest department.
The birds will be released using a “soft release” method that allows them to adjust gradually to the wild. Senior scientist and deputy director Sachin Ranade said both species have responded well to captive breeding, but their long-term survival depends on eliminating lethal threats such as toxic veterinary drugs and poisoning of cattle carcasses.
“Veterinary drugs like diclofenac and ketoprofen have caused mass vulture deaths in the past, as the birds often feed on carcasses of treated livestock,” said Ranade.
BNHS continues to urge veterinarians and cattle handlers to switch to vulture-safe alternatives such as meloxicam and tolfenamic acid.
Ranade added that frequent cases of poison baiting and pesticide use on carcasses in Assam have killed wild vultures and slowed the reintroduction process. “Vultures cannot distinguish between safe and unsafe carcasses and fall victim to these incidents,” he said.
BNHS director Kishor Rithe said restoring vulture populations will directly benefit farmers and cattle owners, as vultures naturally dispose of carcasses and help prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
“Assam remains the last stronghold of the Slender-billed vulture in India, making the upcoming release particularly significant for the species’ survival. Community participation and awareness will be key to ensuring the success of the initiative,” said Rithe.
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