Endangered vulture chicks rescued and released after storm in Deukhuri

Dang – Four endangered vulture chicks that had fallen from their nests due to a severe storm in the Deukhuri area have been successfully rescued, treated, and released back into their natural habitat.

The storm on the evening of Baisakh 29 damaged the vulture nests in Deukhuri, causing four chicks to fall to the ground. Their rescue was coordinated by Bird Conservation Nepal, the Deukhuri Division Forest Office, Kalika Community Forest, the Vulture Conservation Centre, and the local community.

The next morning, on Baisakh 30, the president of the Uchanimbu Community Forest informed Bhupal Nepali, a project officer at Bird Conservation Nepal, about the fallen chicks. Following this, staff member Prithvi Chaudhary and a team from the Division Forest Office led by Yagya Bahadur Oli reached the site.

Local residents, including Mangal Prasad Chaudhary, protected the chicks from roaming dogs by covering them with baskets. The chicks, in the early stages of flight practice, were found to be weak and frightened due to extreme stress.

The rescue team found all four chicks injured within two days after searching in nearby maize fields, farm edges, and the Janajyoti Community Forest area in Hasnapur. Due to stress, the chicks refused to eat and even vomited the meat they consumed, prompting emergency consultation with Ishwari Prasad Chaudhary from the Bird Conservation Nepal, National Trust for Nature Conservation, and Pithauli Jatayu Restaurant. Based on expert advice, the chicks were taken to the Lalmitiya Animal Shelter and Vulture Conservation Centre for immediate treatment and rehabilitation.

At the Vulture Conservation Centre, caretakers Basanta Shahi, regional biologist Suraj Basnet, and Prithvi Chaudhary’s team provided saline and primary care. During regular care, they were fed approximately two kilograms of fresh buffalo meat twice daily. Bird Conservation Nepal managed the entire process.

When one chick’s condition appeared critical, a veterinarian from Kanchanpur was called for a special health examination. After about 26 days of continuous treatment and care, all four vultures were fully healthy and ready to fly.

On the 25th day of treatment, Jestha 11, a test flight was conducted, and one vulture successfully flew in Lalmitiya. The remaining three vultures were released back into their original habitat in the natural environment on the evening of Jestha 12.

The vulture release program was attended by Ganesh Bahadur Khadka, Divisional Forest Officer of the Deukhuri Division Forest Office, forest staff Chiranjivi Khanal, presidents of Uchanimbu and Janajyoti Community Forests Prem Lal Chaudhary and Dhruva Prasad Chaudhary, coordinator of the Vulture Conservation Centre Yam Bahadur Roka Magar, local resident Mangal Prasad Chaudhary, and Prithvi Chaudhary from Bird Conservation Nepal.