Guwahati, Dec 9: Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve has received 35 critically endangered vultures as part of a major conservation initiative approved by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA). The relocated birds include 30 White-rumped Vultures (Gyps bengalensis) and five Slender-billed Vultures (Gyps tenuirostris) from the Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre (VCBC) in Rani, Guwahati. They were released in the park’s 6th Addition area under the Bishwanath Wildlife Division.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma welcomed the development, describing the vultures as “Jatayu soaring in Ramayana” while highlighting the significance of their return to the wild. Both species are listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Assam, particularly the region around Kaziranga, remains a crucial habitat for these vultures.

Kaziranga Field Director Sonali Ghosh pointed to persistent threats, including poisoning from pesticide-laced cattle carcasses. She also noted the importance of the VCBC in Rani, which has played a key role in captive breeding. India’s vulture population witnessed a drastic crash due to the veterinary drug diclofenac, which caused kidney failure in vultures feeding on treated carcasses. Although the drug was banned in 2006, populations have yet to fully recover.

The 6th Addition of Kaziranga was selected for the release due to its extensive forest cover, availability of carrion and strengthened anti-poaching measures. The release process is being carried out through a soft-release aviary built under the supervision of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), following established scientific protocols. Awareness programmes for local communities and veterinarians have also been initiated to promote safe practices and strengthen conservation efforts.

BNHS has planned additional releases of captive-bred vultures in Assam as part of its nationwide breeding project, which has been active for over 15 years and involves more than 800 vultures. The initiative reinforces Assam’s role in restoring vulture populations and supporting ecological balance across the Northeast.