Guwahati: In a hopeful turn for wildlife conservation, three Himalayan Griffon vultures, nursed back to health at the Wildlife Transit Home in Charaikhola, Kokrajhar, were released into their natural habitat on April 21.
The majestic birds took flight once more in the Rajapara Forest, nestled within the Mahamaya area bordering the Dhubri district.
However, this positive development is shadowed by a distressing incident just days prior in the Suripara area of Sapotgram, Dhubri. A number of Himalayan Griffon vultures were discovered deceased, while others exhibited disturbing symptoms strongly indicative of poisoning.
Wildlife experts are focusing on organophosphate toxicity as a likely culprit, pointing to the rapid onset of unresponsiveness, muscle twitching, and excessive sweating observed in the affected birds – telltale signs of this type of poisoning often linked to chemicals used in livestock care.
Preliminary investigations suggest a tragic sequence of events where locals allegedly laced a goat carcass with poison, intending to eliminate a troublesome dog in the vicinity. Unwittingly, the vultures fed on the contaminated remains, leading to the fatalities and the alarming symptoms witnessed.
Forest officials and wildlife authorities are anticipated to launch comprehensive investigations into the matter, with a commitment to implementing preventative measures to avoid similar occurrences in the future. The focus will be on promoting humane and ecologically responsible strategies for managing conflicts between humans and wildlife.
Dr. Dauharo Bodo, the in-charge doctor at the Wildlife Transit Home in Charaikhola, Kokrajhar, an institution managed by the Wildlife Trust of India, verified the successful release of the three rehabilitated vultures. Simultaneously, he voiced profound apprehension regarding the situation unfolding in the Dhubri and Kokrajhar region, highlighting the significant threat that the suspected poisoning poses to the local vulture population.
This stark contrast – the triumph of release alongside the tragedy of potential poisoning – underscores the persistent challenges inherent in the protection of these crucial scavengers. The Dhubri incident serves as a grim reminder of the perils associated with the misuse of agricultural and veterinary chemicals and the pressing need for heightened awareness and more stringent regulations to ensure the safety of these ecologically vital birds.
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