Historic Release of White-Rumped Vultures Marks a Milestone in Conservation Efforts

In a groundbreaking event for wildlife conservation, five white-rumped vultures were released into the wild in Assam, marking a significant achievement for the region's vulture recovery efforts. This initiative, supported by various organizations, aims to bolster the population of these endangered birds. The vultures, bred in captivity and rehabilitated, are now equipped with solar-powered tracking tags to monitor their movements as they adapt to their natural habitat. This release not only signifies a hopeful future for the species but also highlights the collaborative efforts in conservation. The next six months will be crucial in assessing their survival and the health of their environment.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 20, 2026, 16:47 IST

Significant Step for Vulture Conservation

Amingaon, March 20: A pivotal event in vulture conservation occurred when MK Yadav, the Special Secretary for Forests and Environment in Assam, set free five white-rumped vultures into their natural habitat.

Joining him for this momentous occasion were Dr. Vinay Gupta, Chief Wildlife Warden of Assam; Kishor Rithe, Director of the BNHS; Dr. Sachin Ranade, Centre Manager of BNHS; and Dr. Chris Bowden, Asia Manager for the vulture program at RSPB.

With the aid of a pulley system positioned approximately 100 meters from the aviary, they gently opened the gate of the release enclosure.

To ensure minimal disturbance, cameras were set up to capture the vultures' movements.

This marks the inaugural release of any vulture bred in captivity within Assam.

The vulture breeding center, established in Rani, Assam, in 2007, currently houses 138 white-rumped vultures and 56 slender-billed vultures.

In total, there are 194 vultures at the center, which is now prepared to release 20 to 25 vultures annually.

The release aviary is situated at Nalapara, within the Rani range of the Kamrup east division, where the vultures were acclimatized.

Of the ten vultures, six were bred in captivity at the VCBC Rani, while four were rescued, rehabilitated, and deemed fit for release.

A veterinarian assessed their health, confirming that all vultures were in good condition. Each bird has been tagged and ringed for tracking purposes.

The solar-powered tags will provide real-time location data, and in the coming months, the vultures are expected to explore neighboring states such as West Bengal and Meghalaya, as well as countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan.

The next six months will be critical for these birds, as their survival will indicate the safety of their environment.

This initiative represents the first reintroduction of white-rumped vultures from the VCBC, Rani, in Northeast India. The released vultures are between three to four years old, classified as sub-adults.

Prior to their release, they were housed in a pre-release aviary to interact with wild vultures. An official expressed optimism that they would integrate with wild populations, learning to fend for themselves and locate food.

The VCBC will continue to provide food just outside the aviary to encourage the vultures to remain close to the center.

“We extend our gratitude to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds for their financial backing of this project in Assam. We also appreciate Adani LGBI for their support for the 2025-26 period.

We thank our partner organizations, including the Centre for Wildlife Studies, Oriental Bird Club, Darwin Initiative, Rufford Maurice Laing Foundation, and veterinary teams.

We are grateful to everyone who has supported this conservation effort, especially the residents of Belguri village and the people of Assam,” stated a press release.