100 vultures die of suspected poisoning in Assam

Experts at Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre near Guwahati save 12 Himalayan griffons and a steppe eagle

Guwahati

At least 100 vultures — all Himalayan griffons — have died of suspected poisoning in Assam.

State Forest Department officials said the incident happened on a paddy field in Kamrup district’s Chhaygaon area, about 45 km west of Guwahati.

The area is close to a village where at least 10 endangered vultures died after feeding on a pesticide-laced cattle carcass in February 2020.

“We rushed to the spot after receiving information. Not less than 100 vultures had died by then. We managed to save 12 vultures and a steppe eagle, also a scavenger,” Sachin Ranade of the Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre at Rani near Guwahati told The Hindu.

Dimpi Bora, Divisional Forest Officer, said some bones of a goat were found near the carcasses of the vultures. “We suspect the vultures died after feeding on the poisoned carcass of the goat, but the cause of death can be ascertained after an autopsy report,” she said.

“It is high time the police investigated and punished the culprits behind such cases of poisoning. This has been happening for the last 12-15 years but no action is taken either by the police or the Forest Department,” wildlife activist Moloy Baruah said.