Haryana’s Jatayu Breeding Centre Shows Success in Raising Vultures

The Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre (JCBC) in Pinjore, Haryana, reported notable achievements during the International Vulture Awareness Day celebrations on 6 September 2026. The centre, a joint venture between the Haryana Forest Department and the Bombay Natural History Society, focuses on breeding three vulnerable species: the white‑backed, long‑billed and slender‑billed vultures.

Records for the fiscal year 2025‑26 indicate that the centre housed 356 vultures and successfully raised 35 chicks. Of the fledglings, 87 were released back into the wild, while 90 were transferred to other institutions for further conservation work. Additionally, the centre provided training to 1,222 individuals across 122 institutions, enhancing technical expertise in vulture management.

Minister Rav Narbir Singh highlighted that the true measure of conservation success lies not only in breeding numbers but also in the health of released populations, scientific monitoring and the re‑establishment of stable wild colonies. The JCBC’s progress demonstrates the potential of coordinated breeding programmes to augment declining vulture populations and restore ecological services.

The centre’s efforts were complemented by the unveiling of the “Story of Jatayu” book and awards to artists who captured vulture conservation themes, reinforcing public engagement with the cause.