Himalayan Griffon, a near-threatened vulture, rescued in Kanpur

As its name suggests the Himalayan Griffon vulture inhabits the higher regions of the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau. They can fly at an elevation of up to 5,500 metre with help of their wide and powerful wings. They are scavenger birds and are listed as Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

After the bird was captured by the local residents, many videos began circulating online showing people holding the bird by its wings for pictures and videos. One such video was posted on Twitter by the Navbharat Times. However, the video incorrectly said that the vulture is believed to be hundreds of years old.

It looks like a Himalayan Griffon vulture. Sub adults are migratory, adults live on higher reaches. They can live upto 40-45 years of age. This one looks very stressed.

Similar to one below pic. pic.twitter.com/IpvcZWOiIy

— Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) January 9, 2023

Commenting on the video IFS officer Parveen Kaswan shared a picture of a Himalayan Griffon being released into the wild. Kaswan said, “It looks like a Himalayan Griffon vulture. Sub adults are migratory, adults live on higher reaches. They can live upto 40-45 years of age. This one looks very stressed. Similar to one below pic.”

Another person wrote, “Himalayan Griffon, they travel thousands of kms in search of food, it is quite normal, forest department should intervene and free the bird at a safe location.”