A rescued cinereous vulture released into the wild from Madhya Pradesh's Halali Dam has flown over 3,000 km across international borders to reach Uzbekistan, marking a major success for the state's vulture conservation programme.
Rescue and Rehabilitation
Also known as the black vulture, the rare migratory bird was found injured and weak in Sironj, Vidisha district, on December 19, 2025. It was treated at the Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre (VCBC) in Kerwa near Bhopal, jointly operated by Van Vihar National Park and the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). After nearly two months of care, the vulture, classified as near threatened by the IUCN, was released into its natural habitat at Halali Dam in Raisen district on February 23, 2026, by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
Migration Journey
Wildlife officials reported that the bird stayed near Halali Dam for almost a month before starting its long migration on April 10. GPS tracking, initiated by Van Vihar with support from WWF-India and BNHS, traced its route through Rajasthan, into Pakistan, across Afghanistan, and finally to Uzbekistan on May 4.
Scientific Significance
The journey highlights the vulture's extraordinary endurance and navigation abilities, while showcasing Madhya Pradesh's emergence as a key centre for scientific wildlife conservation. Conservationists noted that tracking the bird's movement across countries provides valuable data on migratory patterns of this globally significant species.
This successful rehabilitation and migration occur amid ongoing threats to vulture populations across South Asia, including habitat loss, poisoning, and veterinary drugs. Wildlife experts emphasize that Madhya Pradesh's use of GPS tracking, scientific monitoring, and specialized treatment facilities is strengthening conservation efforts for endangered scavenger birds.
