This is not the first time a Himalayan Griffon Vulture was seen alive - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
January 11, 2023
Video of a huge vulture surrounded by a group of people is being shared on social media claiming that Jatayu (a mythical bird) of Ramayana is found alive for the first time in Kaliyug and gave Darshan in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
Claim: Jatayu, a mythical bird from Ramayana, is found alive for first time in Kaliyug in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
Fact: As per the media reports, Himalayan Griffon Vulture was rescued in Kanpur and locals handed it over to the forest department on 09 January 2023. Previously, there were several instances where these vultures were spotted and rescued by the public. Moreover, in 2016, the vulture-breeding centre at Pinjore, Haryana released a pair of these vultures to the wild for the first time after fostering them for 10 years. Hence, the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
Internet search with the relevant keywords revealed that a Himalayan Griffon Vulture was rescued in Kanpur and locals handed it over to the forest department on 09 January 2023. Currently, this ‘near-threatened’ bird is being monitored by a team of veterinarians at the Allen Forest Zoo’s veterinary hospital, reported Indian Express.
Uttar Pradesh | A Himalayan griffon vulture in Kanpur. When they brought it to us its legs were tied causing injuries. He was also in shock. It is unwell right now but we have given it treatment. It will be quarantined for a few days: Dr Anurag Singh, Dy Director Kanpur Zoo pic.twitter.com/hpfzaKCoTb
However, this is not the first time Himalayan Griffon Vulture was spotted. Earlier in 2016, a vulture belonging to the same species (G. himalayensis) was rescued on the banks of Dal Lake in Kashmir. Similarly, in 2018, 2020 & 2021, these vultures were spotted in Tamil Nadu, Singapore & Maharashtra respectively. Moreover, in 2016, the vulture-breeding centre at Pinjore, Haryana released a pair of these vultures to the wild for the first time after fostering them for 10 years.
To sum it up, this is not the first time a Himalayan Griffon Vulture was seen alive.