A rare Himalayan vulture was rescued in Gaibandha by youth volunteers, given emergency care, and transferred to forest authorities, underscoring the importance of community-led wildlife conservation.
A critically endangered and rare Himalayan vulture has been rescued in Sundarganj Upazila of Gaibandha in northern Bangladesh. The bird, weakened by a long journey and extreme cold, received immediate care from the local environmental organization TEER (Team for Energy and Environmental Research) before being handed over to the Forest Department for professional treatment.
Himalayan vultures play a vital role as scavengers, helping maintain ecological balance and control disease. Their population is declining due to habitat loss, poisoning and human interference, making each rescue a crucial step toward conservation.
This rescue highlights the power of youth leadership and local community involvement in protecting endangered wildlife and preserving biodiversity.
The vulture was first spotted on Sunday, January 4, around 9:00 am in a field in the Kachim Bazar area of Kapasia Union in Sundarganj. Students from TEER, an environmental group led by young leaders from Gaibandha Government College, acted quickly to rescue the bird.
Zisan Mahmud Joy, former president of TEER, said the vulture had become weak and ill due to the long journey and harsh winter. The organization provided initial care in a safe location before transferring it to the Forest Department.
With support from local residents, the bird was taken to the Forest Department for preliminary medical attention. Mosharaf Hossain, the current president of TEER, said the vulture was then transferred to the Rangpur Forest Division. From there, it will be sent to the Vulture Rescue and Rehabilitation Center at Singra National Park in Dinajpur for advanced treatment and monitoring.
