Assam records world's first release of captive-bred slender-billed vultures
2-minute summary
In a historic wildlife conservation breakthrough, Assam witnessed the world's first wild release of captive-bred slender-billed vultures (Gyps tenuirostris). Five slender-billed vultures and five white-rumped vultures (Gyps bengalensis) were released at the Jatayu Soft Release Centre in the Biswanath Division of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve. The birds were bred and nurtured at the Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre in Rani near Guwahati, managed by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) in collaboration with the Assam Forest Department. The release follows a three-month acclimatisation period in a soft-release aviary. India's Gyps vulture population experienced a catastrophic 99% decline over the past two decades, predominantly driven by kidney failure caused by feeding on livestock treated with veterinary non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). While drugs like diclofenac, aceclofenac, ketoprofen, and nimesulide have been banned by the Centre, vultures in Assam continue to face severe secondary poisoning threats from carcasses laced with pesticides intended for stray animals.
Why it's in the news
Assam recorded the world's first-ever wild release of captive-bred slender-billed vultures at Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve. The landmark initiative was executed by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and the Assam Forest Department to rebuild decimated Gyps vulture populations.
Background and context
During the 1990s and early 2000s, South Asia experienced an unprecedented ecological crisis as Gyps vulture populations plummeted by over 99%. Research established that the primary driver was visceral gout and acute kidney failure induced by the veterinary usage of Diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) given to cattle. As primary scavengers, vultures consumed treated cattle carcasses, leading to widespread mortality. Recognising the ecological catastrophe—such as increased incidence of rabies from feral dog population spikes—the Government of India banned veterinary Diclofenac in 2006, later expanding bans to Aceclofenac, Ketoprofen, and Nimesulide. To prevent complete extinction, ex-situ conservation facilities were established under the Vulture Conservation Breeding Programme, spearheaded by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and state forest departments. Captive breeding facilities, alongside soft-release aviaries and Vulture Safe Zones (VSZs), form the core strategy for reintroducing these critically endangered scavengers back into natural ecosystems.
Constitutional provisions
- Article 48A — Directs the State to endeavor to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country.
- Article 51A(g) — Fundamental duty of every Indian citizen to protect and improve the natural environment, including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures.
Committees and reports
- Action Plan for Vulture Conservation in India (2020-2025) — Formulated by MoEFCC to setup Vulture Conservation Breeding Centres, establish Vulture Safe Zones, and phase out toxic veterinary NSAIDs.
Government schemes
- Action Plan for Vulture Conservation in India — Provides regulatory frameworks for toxic drug bans, creation of additional Vulture Conservation Breeding Centres (VCBCs), and wild reintroduction programs.
International organisations
- International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) — Categorises the Slender-billed Vulture (Gyps tenuirostris) and White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) as 'Critically Endangered'.
- BirdLife International — Global conservation coalition partnering with BNHS to monitor threatened avian species and advocate for vulture-safe NSAIDs.
Mains practice: Discuss the ecological significance of vultures as natural scavengers and evaluate the major threats responsible for their population collapse in India. Highlight recent ex-situ conservation measures taken to restore their numbers.
Vultures play an indispensable role in maintaining ecosystem stability. As obligate scavengers, they rapidly clean up livestock carcasses, preventing the spread of lethal pathogens such as anthrax, cholera, and rabies, while suppressing populations of dangerous disease vectors like feral dogs and rats.
• Key Threats Responsible for Population Collapse:
1. Veterinary NSAIDs: Over 99% of Gyps vultures were wiped out due to feeding on livestock treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Diclofenac, Aceclofenac, Ketoprofen, and Nimesulide, causing acute renal failure.
2. Secondary Pesticide Poisoning: Retaliatory or illegal poisoning aimed at stray dogs using pesticide-laced carcasses frequently results in mass secondary deaths of feeding vultures.
3. Habitat Loss & Food Scarcity: Loss of large nesting trees and improper carcass disposal practices further restrict wild survival.
• Key Ex-Situ and Reintroduction Measures:
1. Captive Breeding Centres: BNHS in partnership with State Forest Departments established Vulture Conservation Breeding Centres (VCBCs) such as the Rani Centre in Assam and Pinjore in Haryana.
2. Soft-Release Mechanisms: Reintroduction at Jatayu Soft Release Centres (e.g., Biswanath, Kaziranga) involves acclimatisation in aviaries prior to wild release, backed by tagging and leg-ringing.
3. Vulture Safe Zones (VSZs): Establishing 100-km radius safe zones free from toxic NSAIDs around breeding and release sites.
Conclusion:
The historic release of slender-billed vultures in Assam marks a pivotal milestone. Ensuring strict legal enforcement against toxic NSAIDs and curbing illegal pesticide usage are critical to sustaining the long-term recovery of these natural sanitary agents.
Prelims practice questions
Q1. With reference to the Slender-billed Vulture (Gyps tenuirostris), consider the following statements: 1. It is currently categorized as 'Critically Endangered' under the IUCN Red List. 2. Assam recorded the world's first wild release of captive-bred slender-billed vultures at Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve. 3. The species decline in India is primarily attributed to secondary pesticide poisoning, as veterinary NSAIDs do not affect this specific species. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A. Statement 1 is correct: Slender-billed vultures are Critically Endangered under IUCN. Statement 2 is correct: Assam achieved the world's first wild release of captive-bred slender-billed vultures at Kaziranga's Biswanath Division. Statement 3 is incorrect: Gyps vultures, including slender-billed vultures, collapsed primarily due to veterinary NSAIDs causing renal failure.
Q2. Which of the following veterinary non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been banned/restricted in India due to their fatal toxicity to vulture populations? 1. Diclofenac 2. Aceclofenac 3. Ketoprofen 4. Nimesulide Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1 and 2 only
- 1, 3 and 4 only
- 2, 3 and 4 only
- 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: D. All four listed drugs—Diclofenac, Aceclofenac, Ketoprofen, and Nimesulide—have been banned/restricted for veterinary use in India due to their fatal renal toxicity in Gyps vultures.
Q3. Consider the following non-governmental organizations: Which organization actively partners with state forest departments in India to manage Vulture Conservation Breeding Centres (VCBCs) and execute soft-release programs?
- Centre for Science and Environment (CSE)
- Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)
- World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-India)
- Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS)
Answer: D. The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) manages Vulture Conservation Breeding Centres (such as Rani near Guwahati and Pinjore in Haryana) in collaboration with state forest departments.
Revision flashcards
- Which state recorded the world's first release of captive-bred slender-billed vultures? Assam, at the Jatayu Soft Release Centre in the Biswanath Division of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve.
- What is the scientific name and IUCN status of the Slender-billed Vulture? Scientific Name: Gyps tenuirostris IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
- Which non-governmental organization manages the Rani Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre in Assam? Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) in collaboration with the Assam Forest Department.
- What was the primary drug responsible for the 99% collapse of Gyps vultures in South Asia? Veterinary Diclofenac (along with Aceclofenac, Ketoprofen, and Nimesulide), which causes acute renal failure and visceral gout in vultures.
- Besides veterinary drugs, what major threat causes mass vulture mortality in Assam? Accidental secondary poisoning caused by feeding on animal carcasses laced with toxic pesticides (often illegally targeted at stray or feral dogs).