India, Dec. 9 -- The Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre (VCBC), Assam, on Monday released 35 captive-bred vultures into Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve under the Bishwanath Wildlife Division.

The batch includes 30 White-rumped Vultures (Gyps bengalensis) and 5 Slender-billed Vultures (Gyps tenuirostris), both listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act.

Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote on social media, "Glad to announce the release of 30 White-rumped & 5 Slender-billed Vultures from VCBC, Rani into Kaziranga National Park's 6th Edition."

He added, "Like Jatayu soaring in the Ramayana, these guardians of our health return to the wild, marking a ...