Poisoned Himalayan Griffon Vultures released in habitat

PTI GUWAHATI, APRIL 10 In a joint operation with the Assam Forest Department, Environmental organisation IFAW-WTI released five Himalayan griffons back into their habitat in Sivasagar district after curing them.These vultures were found in a comatose state at Konwarpur last month and were taken to IFAW-WTI-run Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC), the morganisation said in a statement. "...they were found to be poisoned and provided necessary veterinary care and released back in the wild on Thursday afternoon," it added. On March 7, 20 vultures died and nine others were mrescued in comatose state after consuming a carcass. "While one vulture died en-route to CWRC, others were given necessary treatment. Despite the CWRC team's best efforts, three more vultures succumbed during the course of treatment," the release said. This year, nearly 200 vultures have succumbed to carcass poisoning by locals in different parts of Assam. Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Naba Kumar Malakar said: "We are pleased and thankful to CWRC for going the extra mile in saving these vultures." A team of forest officials, led by the DFO, released the vultures jointly with the IFAW-WTI team in presence of locals at Kathpara in Sivasagar district. Forest authorities also conducted awareness programmes for villagers in adjoining areas to make people understand the importance of vulture conservation.