The Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, in association with the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), has successfully released six captive-bred vultures into the wild. This trailblazing effort is the first of its kind in the state and is viewed as a major step towards restoring the critically endangered vulture population in the nation.
The release, which was held close to scenic Halali Dam in Raisen district on April 16, 2025, involved four Long-Billed Vultures (Gyps indicus) and two White-Rumped Vultures (Gyps bengalensis). Six vultures were bred and raised at the Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre (VCBC) near the Kerwa Dam on the outskirts of Bhopal. Between four and eight years old, the vultures were determined to be in good health and fit to adapt to conditions of the wild after intensive health examination and behavioural study.
A Species on the Edge
India formerly had tens of millions of vultures. Since the early 1990s, the nation has suffered a disastrous plummet of more than 97 per cent in its vulture population. The main reason behind this sudden decline was determined to be the application of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) diclofenac to livestock. When vultures consumed carcasses of diclofenac-treated animals, they developed kidney failure and perished within a matter of days. This dangerous trend prompted the Government of India to prohibit the use of diclofenac in veterinary medicine in 2006.
Even after the ban, vulture population recovery has been gradual, and captive breeding programmes have been initiated under the national Vulture Conservation Action Plan (2020–2025). The plan focusses on vulture habitat conservation, limiting injurious veterinary medicines, creating public awareness, and institutionalising conservation breeding centers nationwide.
Wider Conservation Efforts and Population Recovery
Madhya Pradesh has made significant progress in restoring its vulture population—from 8,397 in 2019 to 12,981 in 2025—through structured efforts that bring together scientific methods and community involvement. The state initiated its vulture census drive in 2016, which now extends to 16 circles, 64 divisions, and 9 protected areas. The 2025 census has been carried out in two rounds: the first between February 17th to 19th, and the second on April 29th. Carrying out the census in winter times guarantees accurate estimation since both migratory and resident vultures are easier to follow.
The Contribution of Madhya Pradesh and the VCBC
Madhya Pradesh, also known as the “Vulture State,” has become a national vulture conservation leader thanks to its dense forest cover, biodiversity, and forward-thinking policies. The state boasts seven of the nine vulture species native to India. These consist of four resident species—the Indian Long-Billed Vulture, White-Rumped Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, and Red-Headed Vulture—and three migratory species—the Himalayan Griffon, Eurasian Griffon, and Cinereous Vulture.
The Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre (VCBC) at Kerwa Dam, set up in 2014, is a joint project of the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department and BNHS. It has been the hub of the state’s committed vulture conservation efforts and now has more than 85 captive-bred Indian vultures. The centre is dedicated to three critically endangered species: the Long-Billed Vulture, White-Rumped Vulture, and Slender-Billed Vulture.
The breeding process is slow and sensitive and takes place with close supervision, particularly during incubation and chick-rearing phases. The six released vultures comprised the first generation bred at the centre and were chosen in accordance with their physical condition, flying capability, and behavioral fitness for a wild environment.
Tracking and Post-Release Monitoring
In order to guarantee the success of this project, each vulture was equipped with GPS-GSM satellite transmitters and color-coded leg bands. The equipment will enable wildlife biologists and researchers to monitor the birds’ movement, feeding habits, roosting behavior, and survival rates.
Weekly preliminary data from tracking devices will be examined, and field stations have been established close to the release area for ground observations. Trained local forest guards are also in place to report observations and track possible threats, including poisoning, habitat destruction, or human disturbance.
One of the most heartening things about this conservation tale is the involvement of local communities and students in awareness campaigns. Schools across the Raisen and Bhopal regions were engaged in outreach sessions regarding the ecological significance of vultures.
Vultures are an important part of nature’s clean-up crew. Through the scavenging of dead animals, they keep diseases like anthrax and rabies in check, which are capable of causing serious harm to humans and wildlife. Decline in their numbers has been attributed to an increase in stray dogs and the resultant health issues.
The Forest Department, in collaboration with local NGOs, has initiated sensitisation campaigns asking villagers not to use poisonous veterinary medicines and to inform them of any dead or struggling vulture sightings. Pamphlets in Hindi and local languages have been circulated, and village panchayats have been enlisted to assist the mission.
India-Wide Conservation Landscape
Even though Madhya Pradesh has pioneered, other states in India have also contributed towards vulture conservation. Rajasthan has big vulture populations in Keoladeo National Park and Jorbeer Conservation Reserve. Gujarat’s Gir National Park and Velavadar Blackbuck National Park have stable populations too. Pinjore Vulture Breeding Centre in Haryana is an important contributor to captive breeding of White-Rumped and Indian Long-Billed Vultures. West Bengal’s Buxa Tiger Reserve and Rajabhatkhawa Conservation Breeding Centre are dedicated to the Slender-Billed Vulture. Assam’s Kaziranga and Nameri National Parks are key habitats for White-Rumped and Slender-Billed Vultures.
National and International Acknowledgement
This release has generated applause from national and international conservation entities. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) have recognised India’s initiative to revive a species that was on the threshold of extinction.
Madhya Pradesh’s achievement is timely when the world is increasingly turning its attention to the conservation of lesser-known species and ecological harmony. India is among the very few nations that are actively working towards vulture conservation through a scientific, community-supported effort.
The Road Ahead
The success of this first release has opened up avenues for expansion of the programme. Senior forest officials say that there are more vultures lined up for release, pending health checks and environmental conditions. Vulture restaurants or safe areas where clean carcasses are provided for vultures to feed also figure in plans to ensure their survival in the wild.
Experts warn, though, that breeding and release efforts will need to be accompanied by tighter enforcement of illegal drug use, enhanced veterinary regulation, and conservation of habitat. Only a comprehensive strategy can guarantee long-term resurgence.
“This is not about only vulture conservation,” said a forest department spokesperson. “It’s about reviving balance in our ecosystems. Vultures are an indicator of a healthy environment, and their return offers hope for India’s biodiversity.”
As the tracked vultures fly into central Indian skies, they bear not only their own survival weights, but also the hopes of a nation dedicated to saving its natural legacy.
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