Vulture mounted with camera, transmitter spotted in Chhattisgarh's Maoist-affected Kanker

Forest department officials acknowledged that a vulture equipped with a fixed camera had never been spotted in the disturbed Bastar region before, this likely led to confusion and concern among locals.
The vulture with a small electronic device on its back
The vulture with a small electronic device on its back
Updated on
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RAIPUR: A vulture with a small electronic device containing a camera and transmitter mounted on its back was discovered wandering in the core Maoist-affected area of Bhanupratapur in Kanker district, Chhattisgarh. Its presence has raised concern and curiosity among locals and security forces.

Forest department officials acknowledged that a vulture equipped with a fixed camera had never been spotted in the disturbed Bastar region before, this likely led to confusion and concern among locals. The officials later shared with TNIE that the vulture, an endangered species listed under Schedule 1, is part of a research project conducted by the Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre (VCBC) in Pinjore, Haryana.

“The BNHS based in Andheri (Mumbai) has 10 white-rumped vultures and one among them fitted with camera and trackers was released and observed as they forage in other areas. These vultures are colony animals but this solitary flight may be in search of a suitable habitat, as it entered into Chhattisgarh region from Mumbai. The vulture need not be disturbed and remains under our close observations. It will be rescued only if the bird is seen in stress or any threat. The joint project by VCBC and BNHS works in the field of vulture conservation and propagation as their population has been dwindling”, Alok Bajpai, (IFS) divisional forest officer (DFO) Kanker told the TNIE.

The locals spotted the vulture at the office of the electricity board at Bhanupratapur and someone alerted the forest department.

“Catching sight of a vulture with an attached electronic gadget or camera for the first time, and venturing into such a sensitive area to witness an armed conflict between the forces and the Maoists created much curiosity and some disquiet. Initially, the speculations were rife that the vulture was used for some surveillance or spying”, said Vijay Pandey, a senior journalist based in Kanker.

Meanwhile, after coming through a long flight the vulture has a tendency to stay in some particular place for 2-3 nights and get some rest before continuing its flight. The bird owing to its scavenger habit has been given some non-vegetarian meal by our team that is on alert and keeping a close watch, said the Kanker DFO.

The vulture had some nesting sites at Kutumsar caves in Indravati national park in Bastar region, so the wildlife experts also believe the bird might possibly proceed to that area.

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