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Himalayan Vulture Bred In Captivity For The First Time In India

Himalayan Vulture Bred In Captivity
The captive breeding of the Himalayan vulture in India marks a significant milestone in vulture conservation efforts. The successful breeding of this species in captivity holds great importance for the preservation and recovery of vulture populations.
Also, The Indian government on 31st July , 2023, implemented a ban on the production and distribution of aceclofenac and ketoprofen, two drugs known to be toxic for vultures.
This article aims to provide an overview of the Himalayan vulture, its distribution and habitat, as well as its conservation status.

Key Takeaways
- The successful captive breeding of the Himalayan vulture in India is a significant milestone achievement for conservation efforts.
- This achievement demonstrates the effectiveness of captive breeding programs in helping to preserve and recover dwindling populations.
- The Himalayan vulture is declared Near threatened by IUCN.
vultures in India
S. No | Category | Vulture Name |
---|---|---|
1 | Critically Endangered | 1. Oriental White-backed Vulture 2. Long-billed Vulture 3. Slender-billed Vulture 4. Red-headed Vulture |
2 | Endangered | Egyptian Vulture |
3 | Near Threatened | 1. Himalayan Vulture 2. Cinereous Vulture 3. Bearded Vulture |
4 | Least Concern | Eurasian Griffon |
Introduction
In a major conservation breakthrough, the Himalayan vulture has been bred in captivity for the first time in India. Researchers accomplished this pioneering feat at the Assam State Zoo in Guwahati through a collaborative effort between the Bombay Natural History Society and the Assam forest department.
This represents only the second captive breeding of the species worldwide and the first ever in India. It is a significant achievement that gives hope for protecting these threatened vultures in their native Himalayan habitats. The program underscores the potential of ex-situ conservation measures to revive declining vulture populations in the wild.
Himalayan vulture bred in captivity for the first time in India
The Himalayan vulture (Gyps himalayensis) is a Near Threatened species primarily found in the rugged mountainous regions of Asia. Its decline is attributed to various factors, including habitat loss, poisoning from veterinary drugs, and collisions with power lines.
The captive breeding program, aimed at reintroducing individuals into the wild, provides hope for the long-term survival of this species. This milestone emphasizes the importance of collaborative efforts between conservation organizations, government agencies, and research institutions in ensuring the preservation of biodiversity.
Himalayan Vulture
Physical identification features
- Weight: 8-12 kg.
- Wingspan: 260-310 cm.
- Breeding: Poorly known, 1 egg, on rock ledges, incubation about 50 days, chicks may fledge 4 to 5 months.
- Status: Near threatened in IUCN Redlist, and in Schedule-IV of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
- It is one of the largest and heaviest bird found in the Himalayas
Characteristics such as plumage coloration, wing span, and beak shape are commonly used to identify and differentiate Himalayan vultures. Plumage coloration varies among individuals, with adults typically displaying a dark brown or black coloration. However, juveniles have a lighter brown coloration that gradually darkens as they mature.
The wing span of Himalayan vultures is substantial, measuring around 2.6 meters on average, allowing for efficient soaring and gliding in search of carrion. Beak shape is another distinguishing feature, with the Himalayan vulture possessing a strong and hooked beak, well-suited for tearing flesh.
These physical characteristics contribute to the vultures’ ability to scavenge and survive in their natural habitat.
Distribution and habitat

The distribution and habitat of the Himalayan vulture in India is an important aspect to consider in understanding its breeding patterns in captivity.
The Himalayan vulture, scientifically known as Gyps himalayensis, is primarily found in the Himalayan region of India, extending from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh. This region provides suitable habitats for the vulture, characterized by rugged terrains, cliffs, and open areas.
These vultures are often seen soaring at high altitudes, utilizing thermal currents for efficient flight. They are known to prefer nesting on cliffs and rocky ledges, which provide them with a vantage point for spotting carrion.
Distribution of the Himalayan Vulture
Himalayan Vulture | Range |
---|---|
Main Region | Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau at 1,200–5,500 mt. (3,900–18,000 ft) |
Range | Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Iran to Pakistan to India, Nepal, Bhutan to western China and Mongolia |
Extant | Juvenile birds may disperse further south, vagrants have been recorded in Thailand, Burma, Singapore and Cambodia |
Conservation status
The Captive Breeding Program
The captive breeding program aims to address the declining population of Himalayan vultures by establishing a self-sustaining captive population. This program involves carefully selecting breeding pairs, providing appropriate nesting and feeding conditions, and closely monitoring the reproductive success of the vultures.
By breeding these vultures in India in the captivity, scientists and conservationists hope to increase their numbers and eventually reintroduce them into the wild. This captive breeding program is a result of rigorous scientific research, collaboration between various stakeholders, and a commitment to saving this iconic species from extinction.
Significance of Vulture Conservation
Vultures play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy environment. Here are some ways in which vultures contribute to the environment:
- Efficient Disposal of Organic Waste: Vultures are the only obligate scavengers that feed in such large numbers, and each vulture species serves a unique feeding function. They are adapted to efficiently dispose of rotting flesh and bone, as well as other organic waste, thereby reducing the spread of disease amongst wildlife and livestock, as well as abating the risk of pathogen spill-over to humans.
- Prevention of Spread of Diseases: Vultures help clean up roadkill and animals that die of natural causes, which may prevent the spread of diseases. They have an extremely corrosive stomach acid that allows them to consume rotting animal corpses that are often infected with anthrax, botulinum toxins, and rabies that would otherwise kill.
- Identification of Illegal Poaching Activity: Vultures are attracted to carrion (dead animals), and they have played an indirect role in helping authorities identify illegal poaching activity. This is particularly true of elephant and rhinoceros poachers, who leave the animals’ bodies after removing their tusks and horns. Vultures are attracted to the remains and fly in circles around the ground where it has been left behind.
- Ecosystem Maintenance: Vultures are nature’s garbage disposers, and they keep the environment clean and free of contagious diseases. They play a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems by doing the dirty work of cleaning up after death, helping to keep ecosystems healthy and prevent the spread of disease.