Madhya Pradesh’s rescued vulture injured again, this time in Pakistan after cross-border flight

BHOPAL: A Cinereous vulture rescued and rehabilitated in Madhya Pradesh has been injured again, this time in Pakistan, after flying across the international border within days of its release.

However, it has been rescued once more with strong coordination between authorities and environmentalists in the two countries.

The approximately two-year-old female vulture (ID: MPFD/VVNP/BNHS/002) was first rescued on January 22, 2026, from Parsulia village in the Susner range of Shajapur district in an injured condition.

It was brought to Van Vihar National Park, Bhopal where it was stabilised at the quarantine facility with immediate veterinary intervention.

On February 9, the bird was shifted to the Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre (VCBC) at Van Vihar, jointly managed with the Bombay Natural History Society, where it underwent intensive and protocol-based rehabilitation.

At VCBC, the vulture was scientifically documented and monitored. It was fitted with a metal identification ring and a microchip, and underwent detailed clinical, behavioural and morphometric assessments. Blood samples were analysed through haematological and biochemical investigations. The bird, initially suffering from a leg injury, gradually recovered under continuous veterinary supervision and was eventually declared “fit for release” based on scientific parameters.

As part of post-release monitoring, the vulture was fitted with a GPS–GSM telemetry device on March 25 in collaboration with WWF-India and BNHS. After a period of observation following tagging, it was released into the wild at Halali Dam in Raisen district on March 30, a site selected based on habitat suitability and prey availability.

Tracking data indicated that the vulture moved steadily northwest after release, traversing Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan before crossing into Pakistan by April 6. The last recorded location of the bird was in the Khanewal area of Pakistan, after which the signal stopped. The coordinates were immediately shared with WWF-Pakistan for ground verification.

WWF-Pakistan teams reached a village in Khanewal district and located the vulture, which was found injured on the ground. They informed Indian counterparts that a severe hailstorm had struck the Khanewal and Multan regions on April 7, likely forcing the bird to land.

Acting on these inputs, coordinated efforts between officials in India and Pakistan helped trace the vulture to local farmers, who had spotted the grounded bird and alerted the District Wildlife Office. Pakistan’s forest department, along with local police and conservation teams, rescued the bird and provided initial treatment before shifting it to the Changa Manga Vulture Captive Breeding Centre.

Officials there reported that the vulture had minor injuries but is stable and feeding normally.

Back in India, WWF-India has remained in continuous coordination with WWF-Pakistan regarding the bird’s health and recovery. Based on the tracking data, timing and recovery details, officials confirmed that the rescued bird was the same individual released from Madhya Pradesh.

However, the GPS–GSM telemetry device fitted on the bird could not be located.

Officials said the case highlights the role of scientific rehabilitation, tagging and real-time monitoring, as well as the importance of international coordination in conserving migratory species.

The vulture remains under care in Pakistan and will be released back into the wild once fully recovered, state’s chief wildlife warden Sameeta Rajora told TOI.

She said the present effort builds on an earlier success by the Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre at Van Vihar.

In 2025, a rescued Eurasian Griffon Vulture was treated, tagged and released at Halali Dam on March 29.

Tracking later revealed that the bird travelled over 4,300 km, reaching its breeding grounds in Kazakhstan after passing through Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan, before returning to India in October.

“The study provided key insights into migratory routes, habitat use and survival patterns, and highlighted challenges in cross-border conservation” said another officer.

On February 23, 2026, five vultures, including four Long-billed Vultures and one Cinereous Vulture, were rehabilitated, tagged and released from Van Vihar.

Officials said these initiatives establish Van Vihar as a national centre for vulture conservation, integrating veterinary care, field science and tracking technology, while also strengthening international cooperation for migratory species.

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