Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre

The Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre in Panchkula, Haryana, also known as the Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre, is a collaborative project between the Haryana Forest Department and the Bombay Natural History Society focused on saving three critically endangered vulture species, the White-backed, Long-billed, and Slender-billed vultures from extinction. 

Established in 2001 with support from the UK government's Darwin Initiative, it was later upgraded following the South Asia Vulture Recovery Plan to become the region's first dedicated vulture breeding centre. Spread over five acres near the Bir Shikargah Wildlife Sanctuary, the centre houses around 160 vultures and is the largest captive collection of these species worldwide.

It uses artificial incubation and breeding programs to significantly increase vulture numbers and has begun releasing captive-bred vultures back into the wild, with plans to establish safe zones and expand releases. The centre plays a critical role in reversing the drastic population declines caused largely by veterinary drug toxicity and is a key hub for conservation education and research efforts.