Critically endangered Indian Vulture rescued and released
A si month-old Indian Vulture (Gyps indicus) has been successfully rescued, treated, and released back into the wild at the Sri Ramadevarabetta Vulture Sanctuary, Ramanagara
A si month-old Indian Vulture (Gyps indicus) has been successfully rescued, treated, and released back into the wild at the Sri Ramadevarabetta Vulture Sanctuary, Ramanagara, by the People for Animals (PfA) Wildlife Hospital, in coordination with the Forest Department. The Indian Vulture has been classified as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. The vulture was rescued on June 10 by PfA’s Quick Reaction Rescue Team (QRRT), following a call from the Forest Department reporting that the bird was unable to move. On arrival at the PfA Wildlife Hospital, the bird underwent a detailed clinical examination and digital radiography.
Hairline fracture PfA said a veterinary examination revealed a hairline fracture involving the femoral head of the left leg. “Considering the bird’s young age and the potential consequences of improper healing—including limb shortening and impaired mobility—a conventional fracture-management approach was undertaken, followed by a carefully supervised rehabilitation programme,” it said. Over the subsequent two months, the vulture underwent veterinary care, rehabilitation, and progressive assessment to ensure that it regained adequate mobility, strength, and flight capability. Before release, the bird successfully cleared a flight assessment and was deemed clinically and behaviourally fit to return to the wild.
The vulture was released on August 6 at the sanctuary. PfA’s veterinary and field teams subsequently monitored the bird for three days. During the post-release monitoring period, the vulture was observed flying strongly, moving normally, and feeding successfully, indicating a positive return to its natural environment. Fragile future Colonel Dr. Navaz Shariff, chief wildlife veterinarian, PfA Wildlife Hospital, said the Indian Vulture is facing an extremely fragile future, particularly in areas where only a few individuals remain. “When a population is reduced to just a handful of birds, the survival of every individual becomes critical to the species’ future.
In such cases, timely rescue, accurate diagnosis, appropriate veterinary intervention and proper rehabilitation can make the difference between losing an individual and giving it a second chance in the wild,” he said. He added that the successful release of this young vulture is much more than the rescue of a single bird. “It represents an important contribution to the conservation of a critically endangered species and reinforces the need to protect the remaining habitat and breeding populations of vultures in Karnataka,” he added.
The BriefWire