Forest department officials have rescued three sick Himalayan griffon vultures, an endangered species, in Patgram, Lalmonirhat. The vultures were rescued from maize fields in the Jagatber and Bangkanda areas of the upazila on Wednesday morning (14 January).

According to local sources, residents saw three very large birds lying in a maize field in the Bangkanda and Jagatber area in the morning. Unable to fly, the birds were flapping about. Local resident Alauddin Pradhan Badsha caught one vulture, took it to his home and informed the forest department. On receiving the news, forest officials reached the spot and took all three vultures into their custody one by one.

The forest department said each rescued vulture weighs roughly 5 to 7 kg and has a very large beak. They are of the endangered Himalayan griffon species, vultures of the Himalayan region.

Patgram upazila forest officer Rezaul Karim confirmed the incident. He said this species of vulture comes mainly from the Himalayan mountain region. During winter migration, they often fall into inhabited areas after falling ill in the extreme cold or from exhaustion after the long journey. Three sick vultures had been rescued in Patgram so far that day, he said.

The forest officer added that arrangements are being made to send the rescued vultures to the Dinajpur Vulture Care Centre for first aid and close observation. Once they recover, they will be released back into the wild.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.