Jharsuguda: Forest officials on Monday night rescued a Himalayan griffon vulture, a sub-adult and globally threatened species, from Dhubenbud village under the Kolabira section of Jharsuguda forest division.The bird, weighing around 6.2 kg, was found in a vulnerable condition at around 8:30 pm on Jan 19. The Himalayan griffon vulture is listed as threatened by the IUCN and enjoys the highest level of protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Following the rescue, forest officials conducted a preliminary health check-up at the office of the block veterinary officer, Kolabira. As part of the standard wildlife rescue protocol, the vulture was later shifted for rehabilitation to Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar for specialised care and monitoring.Forest department sources said the rescue operation was carried out smoothly and without any injury to the bird. The entire operation was conducted under the direct supervision of the divisional forest officer (DFO), Jharsuguda. The team involved in the rescue included Kolabira forest range officer Sudam Jagadala, forester Ramakanta Naik, forester Asharani Behera and forest guards Manas Patel and Kandarpa Sahu, who coordinated the late-night operation.Forest officials iterated the importance of protecting vultures, which play a critical role in maintaining ecological balance by acting as natural scavengers.
