Himalayan Vulture

Why in news?

• It is the second instance (First was in France) in the world and first in India where this species has been kept for breeding.
• The captive breeding was a joint project undertaken by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and the Assam forest department.

About Himalayan Vulture:

• The Himalayan vulture (Gyps himalayensis ) or Himalayan griffon vulture is an Old World vulture.
• It is one of the two largest Old World vultures and true raptors.
• It is a typical vulture which has a bald white head, wings that are very wide and short tail feathers.
• Distribution: It is native to the Himalayas and the adjoining Tibetan Plateau and also found in the Central Asian mountains.
• These are diurnal and mostly solitary species.
• Conservation status
  • IUCN: Near Threatened

Other Vulture Species found in India

• India is home to 9 species of Vulture namely the Oriental white-backed, Long-billed, Slender-billed, Himalayan, Red-headed, Egyptian, Bearded, Cinereous and Eurasian Griffon.

Q1) What is Bombay Natural History Society?

 It is one of the oldest and most well-known non-governmental organizations (NGO) in India dedicated to the study and conservation of nature and wildlife. The society was founded on 15th September 1883 with the primary objective of promoting the cause of natural history and conservation in the Indian subcontinent.

Source: Rescued Himalayan vultures script India’s first captive breeding success story in Assam Zoo

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