Three Himalayan Vultures /Gyps himalayensis/ were released, after receiving health rehabilitation at Kasetsart University Raptor Rehabilitation Unit (KURU), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, at Doi Lang (c. 2, 000 m. asl.), Pha Hom Pok national park in Chiang Mai on 5 April 2019. The release site is located along Thai-Myanmar border in Northern Thailand, and situated on North-South Flyway of the species in winter.
The vultures were rescued by Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, with starved conditions due to carcass shortage in the country, in Krabi, Bangkok, and Chiang Rai on 7, 20, and 30 January 2019, respectively. All vultures were submitted to KURU for rehabilitation under the cooperations of the Department and Kasetsart University since 2007.
All released vultures are in second calendar year, and are number 25th, 26th, 27th which have been successfully released since 2007.
The total of released Himalayan Vultures from the joint project is 27 individuals. The released vultures were tagged with yellow flag on left tarsus,
as Thailand KU. Vet. M10, F11, and F12 (see 2nd photo).
Reports of sightings and/or photograph of these vultures will be greatly appeciated
by sending relevant info (date, locality, number, behavior and photos if available) to raptor@BirdsofThailand.org or trogon@gmail.com.
More photos and details of the vultures during their rehabilitation can be viewed at KURU FaceBook page, www.facebook.com/KasetsartUniversityRaptorUnit.
Further inquiry, please contact Dr.Chaiyan Kasorndorkbua at trogon@gmail.com or fvetchk@ku.ac.th.