Lumbini, Feb. 20 -- As many as nine vultures have died after feeding on a poisoned dog carcass in Motinagar, ward 10 of Buddhabhumi Municipality, Kapilvastu. Among the dead were four critically endangered white-rumped vultures and five near-threatened Himalayan griffon vultures.

The vultures died after feeding on the carcass of a dead dog lying near the eastern bank of the Banaganga River in Motinagar village, along the Taulihawa-Gorusinghe road section, said Jaya Prakash Pandey, chair of the Tilaurakot Community Forest Management Group.

Pandey said locals reported the stench, prompting forest officials to dig a pit and bury the dead vultures on Friday, a day after receiving the information. Three vultures were found in a weakened condi...