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Relevance: GS-III Conservation & Biodiversity; GS-I Geography (Flora & Fauna) Source: BNHS / news reports, June–July 2026

1 · What exactly happened?

A captive-bred White-rumped Vulture, given the radio tag Z25, was released into the wild at the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in December 2025. It was part of a major conservation project by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS).

But Z25 struggled. Because it grew up in captivity, it kept looking for food near human settlements instead of hunting naturally. It flew all the way to Karnataka, where it fell sick and was rescued. After treatment, it was given a second chance and released at the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in April 2026. Sadly, it still couldn’t adapt and was eventually killed by an uninsulated power line in the Nilgiris. Though tragic, Z25’s journey gave scientists crucial data on how captive birds struggle in the wild.

2 · Why Vultures Matter (And Why They Died)

Nature’s cleanup crew: Vultures are apex scavengers. They eat dead animals, stopping the spread of deadly diseases. However, in the 1990s, over 99% of India’s vultures suddenly died off. The culprit? Diclofenac, a common painkiller given to sick cattle. When vultures ate the treated dead cattle, their kidneys failed. The government finally banned it for veterinary use in 2006.
The Recovery Plan
Breed, tag, and release
The BNHS breeds these critically endangered birds safely in captivity. They are then slowly released into tiger reserves, where there are plenty of natural carcasses to eat.
The Technology
Radio Tracking
Scientists use radio telemetry (like a GPS backpack) to track the birds. This allowed them to spot Z25’s failure early. Other birds, like X91 and X96, adapted perfectly!
The Hard Lesson
You can’t just open the cage
Z25 taught us that ‘rewilding’ isn’t automatic. Birds raised by humans often stay dangerously dependent on humans for food.
The Remaining Dangers
Pills and Power lines
Even though diclofenac is banned, other toxic drugs are still used on cattle. Furthermore, as Z25 showed, exposed high-voltage power lines are a silent killer.
  • The chain reaction of disease: When the vultures vanished, dead cattle rotted in the open. This caused an explosion in the feral dog population, which led to a massive spike in human rabies cases. The economic and health cost to India was catastrophic.
  • Government Action: The Vulture Action Plan (2020-2025) was launched to build more breeding centers and establish Vulture Safe Zones (areas cleared of all toxic drugs) where birds can be released.
  • Beyond Diclofenac: Since diclofenac wasn’t the only problem, India officially banned two more painkillers—aceclofenac and ketoprofen—for animal use in 2023 because they were also killing vultures.
  • The Breeding Backbone: India has four main Vulture Conservation Breeding Centres (in Pinjore, Rajabhatkhawa, Rani, and Bhopal) that work tirelessly to save the species.
UPSC Prelims Quick Facts
White-rumped Vulture Listed as Critically Endangered (IUCN) and given the highest protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife Act, 1972.
Diclofenac A painkiller given to cattle that is highly toxic to vultures. Veterinary use was banned in 2006.
Radio Telemetry The technology used to track the exact movements of the tagged birds in real-time.
BNHS Bombay Natural History Society. A leading NGO in India driving the vulture breeding programs.
Vulture Safe Zone A large geographic area (usually a 100km radius) strictly cleared of toxic animal drugs so birds can be safely released.
Apex Scavenger An animal at the top of the food chain that eats dead animals, preventing the spread of diseases like rabies and anthrax.
MCQ Practice Question
Q. With reference to vulture conservation in India, consider the following statements:

  1. The White-rumped Vulture is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN and placed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
  2. The collapse of India’s vulture population since the 1990s was mainly driven by the veterinary use of diclofenac.
  3. The veterinary use of diclofenac was banned in India in 2016.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only    (b) 2 and 3 only    (c) 1 and 3 only    (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

  • Statement 1 — Correct: The White-rumped Vulture is indeed Critically Endangered and highly protected under Schedule I.
  • Statement 2 — Correct: Diclofenac given to cattle was the primary killer of the vulture population.
  • Statement 3 — Incorrect: Beware the trap! The government banned the veterinary use of diclofenac in 2006, not 2016.
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