A radio-tagged white-rumped vulture was captured by forest officials on June 3, 2026, after it was found near a human settlement in Kalhatti, located on the fringes of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) in Tamil Nadu. The bird, which had been released in the Mudumalai-Bandipur landscape earlier this year, was reportedly showing signs of poor health and unusual behavior.
The white-rumped vulture, a critically endangered species, was originally bred in captivity at the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra. After its release, the bird traveled extensively and was later found in Kalaburagi, Karnataka, where it was rescued and treated following health complications.
Following its recovery, conservationists released the vulture into the Mudumalai-Bandipur region with the expectation that it would integrate with existing populations of wild white-rumped vultures. However, forest officials observed that the bird was not associating with other vultures and was not feeding alongside them at carcass sites, raising concerns about its ability to adapt to life in the wild.
Over the past few days, the vulture was repeatedly spotted perched near the Kalhatti Ghat area. Due to its declining condition and its proximity to human settlements, the Forest Department decided to intervene and safely capture the bird for further examination.
According to R. Vidhyadhar, Deputy Director of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (Buffer Zone), the bird had been moving across various habitats, including the Gudalur region, over the last several weeks. Despite its movements, officials noted that it had failed to interact normally with other vultures in the landscape.
Forest authorities are now planning to consult with the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), the organization involved in the bird’s release and monitoring program, to determine the next course of action and improve its chances of survival.
Meanwhile, MTR Field Director R. Kiruba Shankar stated that veterinary checks and health assessments will be carried out on the bird. Officials remain optimistic about its future and are considering releasing it back into the reserve once it regains strength and is better adapted to its surroundings.
The case highlights both the challenges and importance of vulture conservation efforts in India. Although the bird has shown an impressive capacity to explore extensive areas, ongoing conservation efforts aim to ensure captive-bred vultures can thrive in the wild and support long-term population restoration. recovery of this critically endangered species.
