GPS-tagged vulture from Shuklaphanta flies 520 km to India’s Himachal Pradesh

A white-rumped vulture, fitted with a GPS tag in Nepal's Shuklaphanta National Park, has undertaken a remarkable journey of around 520 kilometers, reaching the Maharana Pratap Sagar, also known as Pong Dam, in India’s Himachal Pradesh. This extensive flight underscores the significant foraging range of the species, which easily crosses international borders.

The adult vulture was tagged in the Tarapur area of Shuklaphanta National Park on March 16 and arrived at Pong Dam just two days later, on March 18. Its route took it through India’s Jim Corbett National Park. Conservation officials confirmed the bird's continued activity and normal movement patterns in forested areas near the reservoir.

Dilip Chand, project officer at Bird Conservation Nepal, stated that the vulture is actively moving around the forest belt near the dam. "Since leaving Nepal, it has been roaming around the forest belt near the dam. There is no immediate concern as its movement pattern looks normal," he said. The tracking is part of a program to monitor white-rumped vultures, a scavenger species crucial for ecosystem health.

Conservationists are maintaining close coordination with Indian partners, including the Bombay Natural History Society, which is active in vulture conservation in the region. If a tagged bird remains stationary for an unusual period, field teams may be deployed for checks or possible rescue operations. This collaborative approach is vital for understanding and protecting migratory species that traverse vast distances.

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Since leaving Nepal, it has been roaming around the forest belt near the dam. There is no immediate concern as its movement pattern looks normal.