A captive-bred Indian vulture (Gyps indicus), released from the Melghat Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra on January 2, 2026, has reached the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan after covering approximately 3,334 km across multiple states, wildlife experts announced on Wednesday.
Journey and Survival in the Wild
The five-year-old female vulture, designated X67, was one of 15 captive-bred vultures fitted with solar-powered tracking tags and released from the Somthana range of the Akot wildlife division in the Melghat Tiger Reserve. For nearly four months after release, it remained scavenging near the release site, gradually adapting to natural conditions.
On May 28, 2026, the bird dispersed from Melghat and embarked on an extensive journey across central India. Over 27 days, it traveled through Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, covering a total distance of 3,334 km. It made temporary roosting stops at Satpura National Park, the Bhopal region, and Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh before arriving at Ranthambore National Park on Tuesday.
Significance for Conservation
Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) Director Kishor Rithe stated, "The most important finding is that this route indicates that vultures prefer the tiger reserve and protected area network as wild carrions are still available due to the good presence of carnivores." He emphasized that the bird survived without any supplementary feeding, demonstrating the ability of captive-bred vultures to adapt to natural environments, locate food independently, and undertake long-distance movements.
This achievement represents a significant milestone for the vulture conservation programme, highlighting the potential of captive-bred release initiatives to help recover vulture populations in India, Rithe added.
Tracking and Identification
All 15 vultures released from Melghat were fitted with blue-colored leg rings carrying identification numbers. The blue color indicates that the ringing was done in India, and the letter "M" denotes Maharashtra as the release site. The solar-powered tags enable scientists to track the movement, travel distance, safety, and survival of the vultures after their release into the wild.
Implications for Vulture Recovery
The long-distance movement of X67 demonstrates that captive-bred vultures can successfully integrate into wild populations and utilize protected area networks. The visit to Kuno National Park, the site of India's cheetah reintroduction, and Satpura Tiger Reserve indicates that these areas provide suitable habitat and food sources for vultures. The BNHS continues to monitor the remaining 14 tagged vultures to gather further data on their adaptation and survival.
