Why Are 15 Indian Vultures Released In Maharashtra’s Melghat Tiger Reserve?

As part of its vulture conservation efforts, the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) has released 15 critically endangered Indian vultures at the Melghat Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra. All the birds have been fitted with GSM and satellite tags. Here is everything you need to know about this new initiative.

Melghat Tiger Reserve Gets 15 Indian Vultures 

Melghat Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra’s Amravati district is known for its tigers, leopards, sloth bears, deer, and rich wildlife. Now, it is also home to 15 critically endangered Indian vultures. According to a report by NDTV, these scavenger birds were translocated from the Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre in Pinjore to the Somthana Range of Melghat on April 23 last year.

Before their release, the vultures were kept in a pre-release aviary. This helped them adjust to local conditions. The relocation is part of BNHS’s ongoing vulture conservation programme. All 15 vultures were fitted with GSM and satellite tags on December 19, 2025. These tags will help scientists track their movement, survival, and behaviour after their release into the wild.

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Challenges Faced During The Programme 

According to NDTV, authorities began the soft release on January 2. The aviary gates were opened, and food was placed outside the enclosure. This encouraged the vultures to step out naturally. While the release aims to boost conservation, the programme faced several challenges. BNHS conservation biologist Bhaskar Das shared with NDTV that limited food availability, the absence of a resident vulture population to guide the birds, and the continued presence of harmful veterinary drugs in the landscape caused problems.

Some of these challenges were addressed by setting up feeding stations and sourcing safe cattle carcasses through active partnerships with gaushalas. The release was carried out by BNHS Director Kishor Rithe and Somthana Range Forest Officer Vinil Hatwar. Assistant Conservator of Forests Ganesh Tekade was also present, along with BNHS staff members.

Also Read: Sachin Tendulkar Keeps Going Back To THIS Tiger Reserve In India As “There’s Something About It”

We hope the Indian vultures adjust well in the Melghat Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/ Justino Bordallo (Representative Image)