A male Himalayan vulture was rescued in a distressed state along the East Coast Parkway (ECP) on 11 January. Multiple people spotted the large raptor and took photos, amazed by the rare sighting. A driver later shared on TikTok that the vulture “nosedived” and landed in front of her car, forcing her to brake to avoid hitting it.
The Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) responded after receiving reports that the bird was “struggling” along the expressway and had been stranded in a nearby canal.
Intensive Care and Hopes for Release
ACRES Chief Executive Officer Kalai Vanan Balakrishnan said the rescue team and veterinary staff had been “hard at work” caring for the vulture. They had hoped to rehabilitate him fully and release him back into the wild.
To reduce stress, the team prepared an outdoor cage as Mr Kalai explained, “it can be stressful for such a large bird to be confined indoors.” The bird initially showed “glimpses of progress” during his treatment.
Sudden Deterioration and Passing
On 15 January, the vulture’s condition took “a sudden turn” for the worse, according to Mr Kalai. The veterinary team immediately provided emergency care, but over the next twelve hours, the bird’s health deteriorated quickly. He sadly passed away close to midnight while the team tried to stabilize him.
ACRES conducted a post-mortem and found that the vulture died from “acute intoxication” caused by pre-existing kidney and gastrointestinal problems. Mr Kalai added that stress and exhaustion had worsened these conditions.
Second Himalayan Vulture Death in Singapore
This is the second reported death of a Himalayan vulture in Singapore this month. The first, rescued by the National Parks Board (NParks) on 3 January in Kranji, suffered from anaemia, muscle injuries, and kidney failure. Despite intensive care at Mandai Wildlife Group, the bird’s condition worsened, and it was euthanized on 7 January.
