Bangladesh rescues 12 critically exhausted Himalayan griffon vultures as winter migration strains the rare species, highlighting conservation challenges, public awareness gains, and the vital role of rehabilitation centres in nationwide efforts.
Bangladesh’s Forest Department has rescued 12 critically exhausted Himalayan griffon vultures, a rare migratory species of global conservation concern, from different parts of the country over the past few days, officials said.
Four of the vultures were rescued from Feni district alone, while the others were found in Gaibandha, Jhenaidah, Cumilla and Chattogram, highlighting the scale of the unusual influx.
After receiving emergency care and close monitoring, the birds were transferred to the Rema-Kalenga Vulture Rehabilitation Centre in Habiganj, which is run with technical support from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Inspector Abdullah Al Sadik of the Forest Department’s Wildlife Crime Control Unit said the vultures were recovered in extremely weak condition, unable to fly and at risk of dying.
Forest officials explained that during severe winter months, Himalayan griffon vultures migrate south from the high-altitude mountain regions of India, Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet in search of food. The long journey, combined with food scarcity and harsh weather, often leaves some birds severely fatigued.
Unable to continue flying, the vultures descend into Bangladesh’s plains, sometimes collapsing near villages or open fields. Their sudden appearance in human settlements can cause fear due to their massive size.
“These vultures are significantly larger than common vulture species,” Abdullah Al Sadik said. “Each bird can weigh between 10 and 12 kilograms, stand up to six feet tall and have an enormous wingspan.”
In the past, panic and lack of awareness led to vultures being injured or killed. Officials, however, noted a growing level of public awareness, with local residents and volunteers increasingly alerting authorities instead of harming the birds.
Once rescued, the vultures are provided with food, medical treatment and rest. When they regain sufficient strength and the ability to fly, they are released back into the wild.
Bangladesh currently operates three specialized vulture rehabilitation centres in Savar, Birganj in Dinajpur and Rema-Kalenga in Habiganj, with support from conservation partners.
Vultures in Bangladesh are considered at risk due to habitat loss, food shortages and exposure to toxic veterinary drugs, factors that have caused sharp population declines across South Asia. Conservationists stress that vultures play a vital global role by disposing of animal carcasses and preventing the spread of disease.
The Forest Department has urged the public to remain vigilant and report sightings of distressed wildlife, noting that timely intervention and community cooperation are crucial to protecting migratory species like the Himalayan griffon vulture during the challenging winter season.
