Mumbai: A rarely-sighted Eurasian Griffon Vulture was rescued from Wadala on Friday after the large bird collapsed inside the compound of the Maharashtra State AIDS Control Society. Members of the Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW), led by Mahesh Ithape, who went to the spot for the rescue, said that the rare vulture species was possibly dehydrated and disoriented, leading to this situation.
The founder and president of RAWW, Pawan Sharma, who is also the honorary wildlife warden with the state forest department, said: “The Eurasian Griffon Vulture was first seen lying on the ground by the staff of the Maharashtra State AIDS Control Society. They then contacted RAWW in order to rescue the bird. This is the first recorded rescue of this vulture species in MMR.”
Sharma added that the vulture is now safely kept under the care of RAWW, under the medical supervision of veterinarian Dr Rina Dev. The forest officials have also been intimated in this regard. The bird is currently kept under observation and will be rehabilitated in coordination with the forest department once it recovers.
Listed under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, these species of vultures are among the top protected species in India. Bird watcher and author Sunjoy Monga commented: “It is rather uncommon to sight a Eurasian Griffon Vulture in the Mumbai region. This species is more seen in north-central India. Like all vulture species, the Eurasian Griffon Vulture also feeds on carrion (animal carcasses).”
Mumbai: A rarely-sighted Eurasian Griffon Vulture was rescued from Wadala on Friday after the large bird collapsed inside the compound of the Maharashtra State AIDS Control Society. Members of the Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW), led by Mahesh Ithape, who went to the spot for the rescue, said that the rare vulture species was possibly dehydrated and disoriented, leading to this situation.
The founder and president of RAWW, Pawan Sharma, who is also the honorary wildlife warden with the state forest department, said: “The Eurasian Griffon Vulture was first seen lying on the ground by the staff of the Maharashtra State AIDS Control Society. They then contacted RAWW in order to rescue the bird. This is the first recorded rescue of this vulture species in MMR.”
Sharma added that the vulture is now safely kept under the care of RAWW, under the medical supervision of veterinarian Dr Rina Dev. The forest officials have also been intimated in this regard. The bird is currently kept under observation and will be rehabilitated in coordination with the forest department once it recovers.
Listed under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, these species of vultures are among the top protected species in India. Bird watcher and author Sunjoy Monga commented: “It is rather uncommon to sight a Eurasian Griffon Vulture in the Mumbai region. This species is more seen in north-central India. Like all vulture species, the Eurasian Griffon Vulture also feeds on carrion (animal carcasses).”
