Vultures' death: Van Vihar officials launch study

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Van Vihar officials have undertaken study to know why three out of six captive bred vultures released into the jungle near Halali dam died in April this year. Rest three were rescued and taken back to Kerwa vulture conservation centre.

A Van Vihar official wishing anonymity said death of three vultures was not less than a major shock to the project. All the three dead were male vultures. The remaining three surviving vultures are females.

Sources said that study would throw light on the reasons due to which three vultures died. It is presumed that they died as they could not hunt for food or find the food. The study will also shed light on preventive measures that should be taken before releasing vultures into the wild.

The watched flight

Van Vihar officials are curiously studying the Eurasian Griffon vulture, which was geo-tagged and released into the wild by officials of Van Vihar in March. The route adopted by it to reach its homeland has developed interest among forest officials. The last known location of geo-tagged Eurasian Griffon vulture was ahead of Afganistan.

A Van Vihar official said it would be interesting to see whether this vulture would return to Madhya Pradesh in October again and would follow the same path it chose to fly back. This will help in understanding the flying routes of migratory vultures arriving state in winter season.