Eurasian Griffon Vulture returns to India after 15,000 km journey
Bhopal : A Eurasian Griffon vulture, released from Halali dam in Vidisha-Raisen eight months ago, has completed a remarkable 15,000-kilometre journey to return to India. The forest department had fitted the bird with a satellite radio collar before its release, allowing continuous tracking of its movements.
The vulture’s journey covered Pakistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan before it re-entered India. Forest department officials stated that the bird is currently near Dholpur in Rajasthan. The Eurasian Griffon vulture had been released on March 29 after undergoing two months of rehabilitation at Van Vihar in Bhopal.
“On January 29, the vulture was found injured in Nagoud, Satna district. It was taken to Mukundpur Zoo and then to Van Vihar, Bhopal for treatment. After full recovery, it was released into the wild on March 29. A satellite radio collar was fitted to monitor its migration and gather conservation data,” said Vijay Kumar, Deputy Director at Van Vihar.
The vulture reached Kazakhstan within a month of its release and stayed there for four months before moving through Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan to finally return to India. Hemant Yadav, DFO of Vidisha, confirmed that the bird has settled near Dholpur in Rajasthan.
The Eurasian Griffon vulture is native to Asia’s mountainous regions, as well as parts of North Africa and Europe. These vultures typically weigh between six and eleven kilograms and can be identified by their white ruffs around the neck. Their wingspan ranges from 2.5 to 2.8 meters, making them among the largest raptors in the region.
The bird’s long migratory journey highlights the importance of cross-border conservation efforts and tracking technologies in studying and protecting vulnerable species. Forest department officials plan to continue monitoring the vulture to better understand its movement patterns, habitat preferences, and the challenges faced during migration.
The successful rehabilitation and monitoring of this Eurasian Griffon vulture showcase India’s commitment to wildlife conservation and underline the role of technology in ensuring the survival of endangered avian species.
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