Rajabhatkhawa, 09th January: Eight Vultures (2 captive-bred White backed with satellite transmitters and 6 Himalayan Griffon with wing tags) were released from Rajabhatkhowa in Buxa Tiger Reserve, today by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Head of Forest Force Ravi Kant Sinha and PCCF Wildlife and Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW) V. K. Yadav.
As per the information, there are 140 vultures in the conservation breeding centre at Rajabhatkhawa, Alipurduar. So far, the conservation breeding programme is quite successful. Since 2006, 76 vultures were born in captivity
Reportedly, the forest officials are planning to expand it by constructing two more aviaries (a large enclosure for confining birds) at Rajabhatkhawa. They now aim to start the breeding programme of another critically endangered vulture, namely, King Vulture also known as Red headed Vulture at Rajabhatkhawa in 2021.
After finishing the waterfowl census, the team will involve Forest staff, NGOs and other bird Watchers for census of vultures in the entire state in the first week of February.