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Vultures Fly Free: 15 Critically Endangered Birds Released in India
7 Jan
Summary
- Fifteen critically endangered Indian vultures were released into Melghat Tiger Reserve.
- Birds were tagged with GSM and satellite trackers to monitor their survival.
- Conservationists overcame challenges like limited food and harmful drugs.
In a significant conservation milestone, 15 critically endangered Indian vultures were released into the Melghat Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra on January 2, 2026. These birds, part of an ongoing breeding and conservation program by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), were initially moved from the Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre at Pinjore to a pre-release aviary in Melghat last year.
To facilitate scientific monitoring, all vultures were equipped with GSM and satellite tags on December 19, 2025, enabling researchers to track their progress and survival in the wild. The soft release began earlier this month when aviary gates were opened remotely, encouraging the birds to venture out naturally while ensuring food availability nearby.
The conservation program faced hurdles, including insufficient food and the pervasive presence of dangerous veterinary drugs in the environment. These issues were mitigated by setting up feeding stations and sourcing safe cattle carcasses through partnerships with local 'gaushalas', demonstrating a collaborative approach to safeguarding these vital scavengers.
