GUWAHATI:
Fourteen Himalayan Griffon vultures and an eagle were released into the wild at Jarasal reserve forest under Kamrup East Forest Division by the forest officials, on March 31.
The birds had reportedly fallen ill after feeding on a pesticide-laced goat carcass at Milanpur under Chaygaon forest range on March 17, and were treated at Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre near before being released into the wild.
The treatment was being led by scientist Sachin Ranade.
VCBC scientist Ranade, Kulchi forest ranger Dipan Deka, and Rani ranger Jayanta Goswami were present during the release.
“It took almost 14 days to treat the birds. We had to apply anti-dot that countered the poisoning. They were kept under observation for several days before being released,” Ranade said.
Notably, as many as 100 endangered Himalayan griffon vultures and an eagle had died on March 17 after feeding on the goat carcass at Milanpur. However, the officials had managed to rescue 14 vultures and sent them to VCBC at Rani, on the fringe of Guwahati, for rehabilitation.
According to officials, the locals had used the goat carcass as a trap for dogs in the area in a bid to save their livestock from their attacks.