15 Critically Endangered Vultures Released:In a very positive and uplifting event for the environment, 15 birds belonging to an extremely endangered species of Indian vultures were set free in the forest of the Melghat Tiger Reserve located in the Amravati district of Maharashtra. By this action, the need for vultures in India was reduced by one more step and, indeed, the whole vulture populations of the country were actually returned to life.
15 Critically Endangered Vultures Released
The project conducted by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) in association with the Maharashtra Forest Department saw the birds coming to Melghat after being raised at the Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre of Pinjore in Haryana.
The vultures were moved to the Somthana sector of Melghat on April 23 of the last year. This period of preparation was very beneficial for the birds as they learned to get used to the climate and topography of the area before they were completely freed to roam in the wild.
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“Soft Release” to Encourage Natural Behaviour
In contrast to sudden releases, the team resorted to a soft release strategy which is a method aimed at helping the captive-bred animals to freedom gradually. The birds were lured to the food placed outside the enclosure by opening the aviary gates remotely on January 2. This process of gradual transition lessens the stress experienced by the vultures and hence, the probability of their successful adaption to the outside world increases.
For the purpose of supporting long-term monitoring, 15 vultures were tagged with GSM and satellite tracking devices in December 2025. The researchers will be able to draw up their monitoring of the animals very closely as this offers the scientists the possibility to investigate closely the pattern of the vultures’ flying, using of habitats, and survival, which are important to future conservation planning.
About The Release Event
During the release event, Kishor Rithe, the Director of BNHS, emphasized the historical significance of Melghat as a stronghold for long-billed vultures, a status that the team hopes to regain in the years to come. He was hopeful that the birds released would once more learn to be.
“Melghat has been a stronghold of long-billed vultures. We hope the birds will learn to live here again,” Rithe said.
The operation was conducted under the supervision of senior forest officials including Somthana Range Forest Officer Vinil Hatwar and Assistant Conservator of Forests Ganesh Tekade, and along the bias of the staff at the BNHS who are fully committed to the cause.
