After decades of absence, red-headed vulture breeding signals a comeback

The rare red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus), raised as part of the vulture population rehabilitation program in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, in Uthai Thani province, laid its second egg on Monday evening.

Chayaporn Armradit, director of the Region 12 Conservation Area Administration Office in Nakhon Sawan province, said today that she was informed by the chief of the wildlife sanctuary that the rare vulture had successfully laid its second egg, which is the fourth egg laid at the Sap Fapha forest protection unit by the endangered species since the launch of the program.

Prior to the start of the project, the vulture had not been seen in the wild in Thailand for more than three decades.

Chayaporn said that the event does not only mark a biological achievement, but it also symbolises the hope of bringing back the country’s rare natural wildlife.

She also said that the determination of all parties concerned can “help create a new phenomenon in conservation”, adding that a team of veterinarians and park officials are closely monitoring the hatching process, hoping that a new chick will emerge soon.

The project to increase the population of this vulture species is the result of cooperation between the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Kasetsart University, the Zoological Park Organisation and the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation.