Indian Minister Visits Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre to Plan for Reintroduction of Endangered Species into the Wild.

White-backed Vulture

The Hon’ble Minister of Labour & Employment and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India recently visited the Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre in Pinjore. The Minister announced plans to release vultures in the wild after breeding and promised technical and financial support for the Jatayu Vulture Breeding Centre.

The centre aims to establish a founder population of 25 pairs of each of the three species of vultures and produce a population of at least 200 birds of each species to be reintroduced into the wild. Oriental white-backed Vultures are expected to be released in the wild during 2023-24 and will be closely monitored with satellite transmitters to ensure they adjust well to wild conditions and avoid diclofenac poisoning.

The Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre was established to investigate the decline in the population of the three India’s Gyps species of vultures. The Centre coordinates the Zoo of Central Zoo Authority for Vulture Conservation Breeding Programme and monitors the prevalence of vulture toxic drugs through cattle carcass samplings. The Centre will provide founder stock of vultures to other Vulture Conservation Breeding facilities in the country.

The centre also promotes wildlife tourism and generates awareness among students for wildlife and environment by importing exotic birds and animals into Haryana from other states at Pipli, Rohtak, and Bhiwani Zoos.