The Himalayan Griffon, or the Himalayan vulture, is known to be one of the burliest birds native to the Himalayas and the bordering Tibetan Plateau. The species, with striking bald white head and broad hefty wings, sometimes migrates to northern India.
The largest genus of the Gyps species, this giant Old World vulture weighs from 8-12 kgs, has 95-130 cm body length, and usually at an elevation of 3,900–18,000 ft.
“They can live up to 40-45 years of age,” Indian Forest Service officer Praveen Kaswan took to Twitter to add.
Listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, the species is also protected under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. As part of preservation measures, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) rolled out a ‘Vulture Action Plan 2020-25 ‘ for the conservation of the predatory birds in India.
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