Throughout December last year, wildlife rescue teams in the Rangpur division rescued 13 near-threatened Himalayan griffon vultures, along with an eagle and a barn owl (Laxmi Pecha).

Among the rescued vultures, two were found in Rangpur, two in Kurigram, four in Nilphamari, two in Gaibandha, and three in Lalmonirhat.

The vultures, known for their enormous size with wingspans ranging from 7.5 to 9 feet and weighing around 10-12kg, migrate to Bangladesh's northern plains from the Himalayas, covering over 600km in search of food during the winter months.

Exhausted and malnourished from their long journey, many vultures collapse, making them vulnerable to predators and human interference.

Lizen Ahmed Pranto, finance secretary of the Wildlife and Snake Rescue Team in Bangladesh, said every year, Himalayan griffon vultures fly to the northern regions of Bangladesh seeking food, as the Himalayas remain snow-covered in winter. However, they often grow weak from prolonged flights and lack of food.

He said the rescued birds were weak but are now receiving treatment to regain strength before being released into their natural habitat.

After providing them with preliminary treatment, they were sent to the country's only vulture care centre in Dinajpur for specialised rehabilitation. In addition to vultures, eagles and barn owls were also among the rescues. A rescued eagle has already been rehabilitated and released, while a barn owl is currently under care, he said.

Mosharraf Hossain, a range officer of the Rangpur Forest Department, said Himalayan griffon vultures migrate to northern Bangladesh every winter, with most returning to the Himalayas after the season.

 Since 2014, the government's Forest Department and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) have collaborated to conserve the Himalayan griffon vultures.