REHABILITATION OF CAPTIVE-REARED GREATER ADJUTANTS LEPTOPTILOS DUBIUS IN ASSAM

摘要

Earlier widely distributed in southeast Asia, Greater Adjutant Storks Leptoptilos dubius are now confined to India and Cambodia. In India, there are 11 traditional nesting colonies in five districts in the Brahmaputra valley. Due to various reasons, at least 15% of chicks die simply from falling from their nests. Considering the rarity of the species, a successful project of rescuing the fallen chicks, rearing them up to the fledgling stage, and rehabilitating them in the wild is going on in Nagaon.Safety nets are put under the nests and regular monitoring is done twice a day. The fallen chicks are rescued, preliminary treatment is given if necessary, and are put in a big enclosure in the Rearing Centre till they are able to fly. Variable natural food supply is provided. Soft release is done near the Rearing Centre, and finally the marked individuals are released into the flock of Greater Adjutants formed during the non-breeding summer season. The released storks are monitored thereafter. Besidesconservation, this also helps to conduct further studies of the species.