Hope takes flight: 10 rare vultures shipped from Pinjore to new conservation home in Hyderabad
This is the first time the vultures are sent to this centre.
"The critically endangered vultures were carefully selected for the transfer based on their health, age, and behavioural traits to ensure optimal success in future breeding. Each bird was placed in an individual wooden crate to ensure safety and reduce stress during the journey, which is being undertaken by road in a fully air-conditioned bus," said Hemant Bajpai of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS).
The birds will reach Telangana in two and a half days.
"This exercise is being done to bring about diversity in the population. The Telangana centre has nine white-rumped birds, but there are no long-billed vultures. That is the reason why we have selected these birds," he added.
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The goal is to strengthen the ex-situ conservation initiative, focusing on breeding and eventual reintroduction of vultures into the wild to counter their rapidly declining population.
Earlier, similar exercises were carried out in Bhopal and Gujarat.
"They will be bred in captivity and eventually released into the wild just like we do here in Pinjore. We sent around 50 to 60 vultures to Bhopal and Gujarat so far for breeding," he added.
To further minimise travel-related stress, JCBC staff members followed standard avian transport protocols, ensuring the vultures were last fed two days before their departure.
Long-billed (Gyps indicus) and white-rumped (Gyps bengalensis) species were among thousands of vultures who used to thrive in India until the 1990s, when farmers started administering drugs such as diclofenac, ketoprofen, and aceclofenac to cattle. These chemicals, highly toxic for vultures, led to a near-wipeout of their population as the birds ended up consuming them while feeding on cattle carcasses. The drugs were later prohibited from use in veterinary medicines.
Now, there are an estimated 6,000 long-billed vultures and around 3,000 white-rumped vultures left in India. To ensure their population does not dwindle further, BNHS established Vulture Care Centre in Haryana's Pinjore in 2002. The centre was later upgraded and renamed the Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre in 2005.
"This inter-state transfer is a key milestone in the collaborative conservation efforts led by Central Zoo Authority in partnership with the forest departments of Haryana and Telangana, and Bombay Natural History Society," said Vivek Saxena, chief wildlife warden, Haryana.
Seven team members, including vulture keepers and veterinary doctors, are travelling to Hyderabad along with the vultures. The team which will receive them at their destination includes Dr G Babu Rao, senior biologist, Md Abdul Gaffar, junior veterinary officer, Sri Bushanam, head animal keeper and animal keeping staff members K Raja Kumar, S Pavan Kumar, Md Nizamuddin, and S Venkatramulu.
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Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Hindustan Times
A mirror to timelessness
So polluted and murky have we made our waters that a Narcissus would be hard put to find a pool of pure water in our times. One so clear that he could gaze upon his reflection in the depths and fall in love with himself! Well, if one retreats from the madding crowds and voyages afar from road-heads into the foothills, there are jungle pools created in monsoon's wake that would indulge a Narcissus with a crystal-clear mirror held to his beautiful face. The Siswan jungle pool, with a nearby hollow. (Vikram Jit Singh) A five-km trek into the ravines and along the rivulet feeding Siswan dam brought me to a transparent pool corralled by boulders. It was a piece of the blue planet in its purest manifestation. There were Paradise flycatchers in rufous morph sallying forth to hawk insects and plunging in for baths. On the edges were Rock honeybees nibbling at moist earth, along with butterflies and esoteric insects. Tadpoles darted towards subaqueous cliffs of pebbles gleaming in rain lustre. Flowers were tiny, lean and adaptive, lacking in the ampleness of the buxom beauties of our manicured, soulless, sprayed gardens. I did not know the names of all these insects/ wild flowers. Neither did a quest arise in me to know the nomenclatures that imprisoned their infinity. And, by the way, would the flora and fauna ever know the names allotted to them in some gloomy lab? Neighbouring the pool was a cave-like hollow in the hillock wall. Hollows form when turbulence of rivulet flow drives into the sides. These provide shelter in the searing pre-monsoon. I had observed a Barking deer, peacock and Red junglefowl share limited space in one such hollow along a dry rivulet. The unlikely trio had amicably sought shade from June's white heat. The pool held a mirror to timelessness. There were no ecological distortions here in the guise of sand-mining, flora hacking or smoking of beehives. The unpretentious scene was a blessed isle of planetary life as humans rarely ventured into this supposedly 'godforsaken spot'. As I gazed, time stood still. Nature swept me in a time machine on a voyage anti-clockwise. The inner cosmic spirit released a shooting star of a thought: much hasn't changed by the pool though countless moons have, since, sailed into the dawn. A House crow tugs at the tail feathers of a Eurasian Collared dove stricken by heat stroke at a pondside in New Chandigarh. The crow was seeking to peck the dove to death and eat it. Puckish crows are also known to tug at the tail feathers of much larger birds such as vultures to harass them and revel in their discomfiture. (Anuj Jain) The crow is no birdbrain! A former, long-standing member of the National Board for Wildlife, an ex-director of the BNHS and an author, Asad Rahmani has devoted a lifetime to wildlife conservation and a scientific understanding of the natural world. He is thus well-placed to liberate the House crow (Kaala kauwa) from superstitions and ignorance, cultural prejudice and the shackles of a colour-conscious society, which associates 'fair skins' with intelligence and virtue. In a recent essay published in 'Hornbill', the prestigious quarterly magazine of the BNHS, Rahmani writes of the crow's larger family, the corvids with a dash of wry wit: 'Recent research shows that birds, particularly members of the corvid family, are intelligent and capable of complex behaviours, problem-solving, and even tool use. Therefore, if someone calls you a birdbrain, take it as a compliment!' House crows exhibit complex cognitive abilities, including long memory, facial recognition, and advanced problem-solving, adds Rahmani. He narrates a delightful anecdote from his early research days to illustrate the crow's cognitive capabilities. 'In 1980, I was sent to Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu by the BNHS to learn bird ringing. The training was rigorous, with only Sundays off. Coming from North India, I packed a white 'kurta-pyjama' to wear during non-office hours. One hot Sunday afternoon, I heard a commotion outside our rented house,' wrote Rahmani. 'A pre-fledged crow had fallen from its nest, prompting its parents and companions to raise a racket. I picked up the injured chick and placed it on a high branch to protect it from nearby cats. The cawing and dive-bombing intensified, drawing attention in the sleepy village. From that day forward, the crows recognised me. Whenever I stepped outside, they would caw angrily and dive-bomb me, even when I wasn't wearing the conspicuous kurta-pyjama. Clearly, they could recognise my face regardless of attire. When I returned to Point Calimere two decades later, a new generation of crows had taken over – and finally, I was spared their wrath,' he quipped. vjswild2@
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Time of India
Hope takes flight: 10 rare vultures shipped from Pinjore to new conservation home in Hyderabad
Gurgaon: Ten long-billed vultures are on their way from Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre (JCBC) in Pinjore to Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad under the national conservation breeding programme. This is the first time the vultures are sent to this centre. "The critically endangered vultures were carefully selected for the transfer based on their health, age, and behavioural traits to ensure optimal success in future breeding. Each bird was placed in an individual wooden crate to ensure safety and reduce stress during the journey, which is being undertaken by road in a fully air-conditioned bus," said Hemant Bajpai of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). The birds will reach Telangana in two and a half days. "This exercise is being done to bring about diversity in the population. The Telangana centre has nine white-rumped birds, but there are no long-billed vultures. That is the reason why we have selected these birds," he added. You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon The goal is to strengthen the ex-situ conservation initiative, focusing on breeding and eventual reintroduction of vultures into the wild to counter their rapidly declining population. Earlier, similar exercises were carried out in Bhopal and Gujarat. "They will be bred in captivity and eventually released into the wild just like we do here in Pinjore. We sent around 50 to 60 vultures to Bhopal and Gujarat so far for breeding," he added. To further minimise travel-related stress, JCBC staff members followed standard avian transport protocols, ensuring the vultures were last fed two days before their departure. Long-billed (Gyps indicus) and white-rumped (Gyps bengalensis) species were among thousands of vultures who used to thrive in India until the 1990s, when farmers started administering drugs such as diclofenac, ketoprofen, and aceclofenac to cattle. These chemicals, highly toxic for vultures, led to a near-wipeout of their population as the birds ended up consuming them while feeding on cattle carcasses. The drugs were later prohibited from use in veterinary medicines. Now, there are an estimated 6,000 long-billed vultures and around 3,000 white-rumped vultures left in India. To ensure their population does not dwindle further, BNHS established Vulture Care Centre in Haryana's Pinjore in 2002. The centre was later upgraded and renamed the Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre in 2005. "This inter-state transfer is a key milestone in the collaborative conservation efforts led by Central Zoo Authority in partnership with the forest departments of Haryana and Telangana, and Bombay Natural History Society," said Vivek Saxena, chief wildlife warden, Haryana. Seven team members, including vulture keepers and veterinary doctors, are travelling to Hyderabad along with the vultures. The team which will receive them at their destination includes Dr G Babu Rao, senior biologist, Md Abdul Gaffar, junior veterinary officer, Sri Bushanam, head animal keeper and animal keeping staff members K Raja Kumar, S Pavan Kumar, Md Nizamuddin, and S Venkatramulu.
NDTV
08-05-2025
- NDTV
8 Best Places To Spot Flamingos In India
Wish to spot flamingos in India? Absolutely. These elegant pink birds aren't just found on African safaris — they flock to India's lakes, salt pans, and coastlines every winter and early summer. From the surreal white desert of the Rann of Kutch to the unexpected mudflats of Mumbai, India offers some seriously photogenic flamingo hangouts. Whether you're a birdwatching pro or just chasing that perfect Insta shot, there's no shortage of scenic spots to catch them in action. So grab your binoculars (or your camera) and head to one of these top destinations where flamingos strut their stuff in full, feathered glory. Here Are 8 Destinations To See Flamingos In India: 1. Thol Lake, Gujarat A short drive from Ahmedabad, Thol Lake is a birdwatcher's dream. This freshwater lake is surrounded by marshes and farmland, making it an ideal nesting and feeding ground for both greater and lesser flamingos. Visit between November and February, and you'll catch them wading through glassy water under golden skies. Bring a pair of binoculars — and maybe a thermos of chai. Best Time To Visit: November to February Nearest City: Ahmedabad (25 km) 2. Rann of Kutch, Gujarat The surreal white expanse of the Rann of Kutch isn't just for the Rann Utsav crowd. It's also the only known breeding ground for the greater flamingo in South Asia. The birds gather in thousands at the 'Flamingo City' in the Rann's mudflats. Getting there isn't super straightforward (you'll need local guides), but the sight of thousands of pink birds against a white desert? Worth it. Best Time To Visit: October to March Nearest City: Bhuj 3. Sewri Mudflats, Mumbai Yes, you read that right. Mumbai may be all high-rises and traffic, but come January, its eastern coast transforms. The Sewri mudflats, tucked near a smelly dockyard and old oil tanks, are where thousands of flamingos chill like they're at a spa retreat. The Bombay Natural History Society even organises flamingo-watching events here. Best Time To Visit: January to May Nearest City: Sewri (Harbour Line) 4. Sambhar Lake, Rajasthan Sambhar Lake, India's largest inland saltwater lake, sits just a couple of hours from Jaipur and turns into a flamingo hotspot during winter. The lake's high salinity makes it ideal for algae — the pink bird's favourite snack. When thousands of flamingos descend here, the white salt flats and pale waters turn into a surreal pink-and-white canvas. It's popular with photographers, so come early if you want front-row views. Best Time To Visit: November to February Nearest City: Jaipur (80 km) 5. Pulicat Lake, Tamil Nadu-Andhra Pradesh Border Pulicat Lake is India's second-largest brackish lagoon, stretching across Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Flamingos love the shallow waters here, especially between October and March. The annual Flamingo Festival held by the Andhra Pradesh government draws birders and tourists alike, and the vibe is more coastal than typical birdwatching. Best Time To Visit: October to March Nearest City: Chennai (60 km) 6. Chilika Lake, Odisha India's largest coastal lagoon, Chilika Lake is a flamingo hotspot with a twist. You might also spot Irrawaddy dolphins here. Birds arrive in massive flocks, particularly near Nalabana Island, which becomes a temporary flamingo colony in the winter. It's not as famous as Bharatpur, but it should be. Best Time To Visit: November to February Nearest City: Puri or Bhubaneswar 7. Bhigwan, Maharashtra Often called Maharashtra's mini Bharatpur, Bhigwan is a little over 100 km from Pune and lies on the backwaters of the Ujani Dam. Every year, flamingos arrive along with other migratory birds, turning the otherwise sleepy landscape into a flurry of colour and camera shutters. Boat rides here are super chill and highly recommended. Best Time To Visit: December to March Nearest City: Pune 8. Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat Located near Ahmedabad, Nal Sarovar is a sprawling wetland that attracts flamingos, pelicans, and over 200 species of birds. It's a quiet spot, with early mornings offering the best chance to watch the birds take flight. Renting a boat here is the move — you'll glide past feeding flocks and get Insta-worthy views. Best Time To Visit: November to February Nearest City: Ahmedabad (60 km)
