60-year-old Himalayan vulture rescued in Mymensingh

A Himalayan vulture (Gyps himalayensis) was rescued from Phulpur upazila of Mymensingh yesterday.

The bird listed as "near threatened" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), has been handed over to the forest department, reports our local correspondent quoting Sitesh Chandra Sarker, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Phulpur.

Locals found the vulture in a weak state at the bank of Kongsho river in Thakurbakai area, the UNO said adding that on information he contacted the local scout group who then rescued it.

The vulture was handed over to the forest department in the afternoon, said Sitesh.

The vulture, weighing 5 kg, was primarily treated by Dr Hamida Khatun, upazila veterinary surgeon, and then handed over to Md Abdullah Al Amin, an official at Sherpur Sadar Range of Wildlife Management Nature and Conservation Department (WMNCD) in Mymensingh division.

The vulture is around 60 years old and each of its wings are over two feet long, said Md Abdullah adding that it is weak from malnutrition.

Himalayan vultures live in hilly areas and usually visit the bordering areas of Bangladesh during the winter season, Md Abdullah explained. It might have fallen behind its flock due to weakness and old-age, he said.

The vulture is currently being treated at the local clinic of WMNCD. The treatment will continue till it is fit to fly, said the official.

Another vulture of the same species was rescued from Jamalpur last week which is also being treated at the same hospital, he added.