Rare vulture sighting thrills bird-watchers

Expert says bad weather might have forced birds to move

LAHORE:

A remarkable sighting has thrilled bird enthusiasts in Lahore as a rare breed of vulture was spotted in the capital city of Punjab after a prolonged absence.

Experts speculate that the vultures may have ventured into the area in search of sustenance due to adverse weather conditions in the northern regions of the country.

Both Eurasian and Himalayan vultures were observed in a housing society located in the southwest area of Lahore. Despite being of different species, these vultures were observed sitting and flying together, marking a unique sight for local wildlife enthusiasts.

Fahad Malik, the head of Mission Awareness Foundation and a prominent wildlife activist, expressed his excitement at encountering this rare pair of vultures in his locality after an absence of nearly three decades.

Malik recounted how he swiftly arranged a camera to capture images of the vultures from a distance of approximately 400 to 500 feet. However, their peaceful presence was soon disturbed by the incessant attacks of crows and kites, prompting the vultures to take flight once again.

Perturbed by the hostile weather and the aggression of other birds, the vultures soared into the southern skies.

The sighting of these vultures holds particular significance as they have been absent from Pakistan, especially Punjab, for decades.\

In 2005, the Punjab Wildlife Department, in collaboration with WWF, established a vulture restoration and conservation centre at Changa Manga.

The centre achieved its first milestone in 2015, boasting a population of over 32 vultures. However, concerns regarding the safety of their natural habitat persist, with experts hesitating to release them into the wild due to potential threats to their survival and conservation efforts.

This recent sighting adds to the growing interest in wildlife conservation in Pakistan.

During the filming of a documentary on wildlife in South Punjab, Badar Munir, a dedicated wildlife protector, also encountered and photographed vultures of rare species, further highlighting the importance of preserving these majestic birds.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 1^st, 2024.