Van Vihar opts for cautious vulture release after failed attempt

After the setback earlier this year, where six captive-bred vultures were released into the wild near Halali Dam and three of them died, Van Vihar National Park is once again preparing to release vultures, but this time with a methodical and phased strategy.

- Rajan Raikwar

Soft release strategy to replace direct wild entry near Halali Dam

Officials are opting for a soft release, starting with placing the vultures inside a specially designed enclosure within a forested area. This will give the birds time to acclimatise to natural surroundings and learn survival behaviours before they are fully released into the wild. The initiative is being treated as a learning curve, and the new plan is aimed at avoiding the fatal mistakes of the past.

An officer from Van Vihar said the earlier idea of direct release into the wild had clearly backfired, with the birds unable to adapt or locate food. The new approach, he said, would allow vultures to experience wild-like conditions inside an enclosure equipped with hills and natural features. Here, they will be provided with carcasses to help them develop scavenging habits essential for survival post-release.

Enclosure before exposure