Assam Prepares for January 2026 Release of Captive-Bred Vultures

Assam is preparing for a significant conservation effort with the planned release of captive-bred, critically endangered vultures into the wild, scheduled for early January 2026. This initiative is being managed by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), a research organization with 142 years of conservation history, which has successfully bred the birds at its Conservation Breeding Centres across India. The release directly supports the objectives of the national Action Plan for Vulture Conservation, 2020-2025, aimed at halting population decline and increasing the numbers of these ecologically important scavengers.

The initial cohort for release will consist of six vultures: three Slender-billed vultures and three White-rumped vultures, all raised in captivity. The release is designated for two sites within the state, the Kamrup and Biswanath districts, locations selected because they fall within the species' historical range and currently host small wild populations. The process will employ the scientifically established 'Soft Release Method,' a gradual acclimatization protocol intended to improve post-release survival rates. This acclimatization phase requires the six birds to remain in specially constructed release aviaries near Biswanath for a minimum of three months.

These aviaries, built on forest land using Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) funds, are equipped with essential infrastructure, including perches, water troughs, and feeding stations. Prior to the final release, the subadult vultures, each marked with blue leg rings, will be fitted with satellite tags. This will enable a dedicated ground team to conduct real-time monitoring of their movements and behavior. The project is a collaborative effort involving the Assam Forest Department and receives support from organizations such as the Royal Society for Protection of Birds (RSPB), concluding more than 15 years of preparatory work.

The effort addresses the severe population crash of vultures across India, where three critically-endangered species experienced a decline of 99 percent between the 1990s and 2007, primarily linked to the cattle drug diclofenac. While the Government of India banned the veterinary use of diclofenac in 2006, following a campaign by the BNHS, other toxic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Ketoprofen and Aceclofenac have also been prohibited more recently. Conservation strategies now incorporate community engagement, with BNHS teams educating farmers and veterinarians on the risks of these drugs and promoting safe alternatives such as meloxicam.

Assam holds a critical position in this recovery, recognized as the only remaining stronghold for the Slender-billed vulture in India. This globally rare species has disappeared from 47 of its former nesting sites, making its entire national breeding population reliant on Assam's floodplain forests. The success of this reintroduction is thus vital for the global viability of the Slender-billed vulture. The project seeks to restore the ecological function of vultures in naturally disposing of cattle carcasses, which can mitigate pollution and the spread of diseases affecting cattle owners and the general public. This initiative builds upon the BNHS's broader conservation breeding program, which has successfully reared over 800 vultures across its centers, including the facility at Rani in Kamrup.