Ten vultures reached Bhopal from Jatayu Breeding and Conservation Centre, Pinjore in Haryana on Saturday. They would be housed at Kerwa quarantine, Bhopal, for breeding and procreation. These include 6 long-billed vultures and 4 white back vultures. After procreation and augmentation, vultures will be released in the natural environs. The number of these near-extinct vulture specie has increased to 30 at Bhopal centre.
Vultures are natural scavengers and their dwindling numbers have caused concern in the world. To save them from extinction, 8 breeding and procreation centres have been established in the country including Bhopal. Vulture breeding and conservation centre was set up at Bhopal in year 2011.
From Jatayu Breeding and Conservation Centre, Pinjore 15 vultures were brought here in year 2014 including 8 long-billed vultures and 7 white back vultures. Besides, 6 long-billed vultures were also brought from Tamia in Chhindwara district by Nest link.
Vultures have significant role in prevention of diseases due to animal carcasses. They are also helpful in environmental balance.
Notably, the forest officials in State capital are working on a project for introduction and breeding of the natural scavengers. Van Vihar National Park has developed a breeding centre for vultures in the jungles near Kerwa.
As many as 21 pairs of vultures are kept here.
Wildlife experts say that the population of oriental white-backed vulture is facing extinction so stress should be on conservation of this species. Sharp decline in vulture population attributed to a drug diclofenac, used to treat livestock. Vultures feeding on carcasses of such livestock suffer renal failure and die.