Rare Himalayan vulture rescued from Srinagar released in Dachigam

A partially blind rare Himalayan Griffon Vulture, which was rescued with severe health conditions near Dal lake in Srinagar earlier this month, was on Thursday released in the Dachigam National Park.

The old world vulture took perfect flight in a healthy condition, courtesy the Kashmir unit of Wildlife SOS, which rescued it from a near death situation.

"It was an adult male vulture, found lying on the bank of Dal Lake. There was no sign of injury or wound but it was extremely weak from dehydration and starvation. We think that it might have hit a tree or cables due to blindness in the right eye," Aaliya Mir from Wildlife SOS-Srinagar told IANS.

The bird's wingspan measured about eight feet and it was around three feet tall.

The near-threatened bird couldn't fly and could hardly move its bill, when spotted by some commuters in Srinagar who immediately alerted Wildlife SOS.

The raptor was given treatment by the veterinarian from the Wildlife Protection Department. It stayed at the Wildlife SOS rescue centre at Dachigam National Park for two weeks, where it practiced for its flight.

The Griffon Vulture is found along the Himalayas and the adjoining Tibetan Plateau. This species is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

"The Himalayan Griffon vulture inhabits high mountainous regions and the Dachigam National Park is home to a fair population of this species," Tahir Shawl, Wildlife Warden of Dachigam said.

It was released in the presence of the Tahir Shawl, Wildlife Warden of Dachigam, near Srinagar.

"Himalayan vultures are one of the largest birds. I am grateful to the Wildlife Protection Department for their help and we are glad to have been able to release this exquisite bird back in its natural habitat, where it belongs," said Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-Founder Wildlife SOS.

--IANS

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