Rehabilitated Himalayan Griffons released amid poisoning crisis in Assam's Dhubri

The Wildlife Transit Home in Charaikhola, Kokrajhar, Assam, highlighted the delicate balance of wildlife conservation by releasing three Himalayan Griffon vultures back into the wild on April 21.
 

The birds, which had been under treatment at the facility, were released at the Rajapara Forest in the Mahamaya area, bordering Dhubri district.
 

The release comes at a critical time following a concerning incident in the Suripara area of Sapotgram in Dhubri district on April 17. Several Himalayan Griffon vultures were found dead, and others displayed alarming symptoms suggestive of poisoning. Wildlife experts suspect organophosphate toxicity as the primary cause, noting that the rapid onset of unresponsiveness, muscle twitching (fasciculations), and excessive sweating (diaphoresis) are consistent with this type of poisoning, often linked to chemicals used in livestock treatment.
 

According to initial findings, locals allegedly poisoned the carcass of a goat in an attempt to eliminate a ferocious dog in the area. Tragically, the vultures consumed the contaminated carcass, leading to the observed deaths and symptoms consistent with poisoning. 
 

Forest officials and wildlife authorities are expected to conduct further investigations and take necessary steps to prevent similar incidents in the future, emphasizing the importance of humane and ecologically sound methods for addressing human-wildlife conflicts.
 

Dr. Dauharo Bodo, the in-charge doctor at the Wildlife Transit Home in Charaikhola, Kokrajhar, run by Wildlife Trust of India, confirmed the release of the three rehabilitated vultures. However, he also expressed grave concern over the situation in Dhubri and Kokrajhar area, emphasizing the potential threat posed by the suspected poisoning to the local vulture population.
 

The juxtaposition of the successful release and the suspected poisoning incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced in protecting these vital scavengers. The incident in Dhubri serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by the misuse of agricultural and veterinary chemicals and the urgent need for greater awareness and stricter regulations to safeguard these ecologically important birds.