‘Injured’ Vulture Completes 15,000 Km Incredible ‘Solo Trip’ Across Countries, Returns To India

A rescued Eurasian Griffon vulture has become the talk of social media after completing an astonishing multi-nation journey. Earlier this year, the bird—later named Marich—was found badly injured in Nagaur

village of Satna district, Madhya Pradesh. It was immediately taken to Mukundpur Zoo for medical attention and later shifted to Van Vihar National Park in Bhopal for continued rehabilitation. After nearly two months of expert care, Marich was finally released back into the wild from Halali Dam in Vidisha on March 29.15,000 km of Sheer EnduranceOnce it took flight, Marich embarked on an extraordinary migration covering more than 15,000 kilometers. Its route stretched across Pakistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan before the bird eventually returned to Indian skies. The vulture’s massive loop through Central Asia stands as a remarkable example of the Eurasian Griffon’s strength and natural navigational instincts.IFS Officer Tracks Marich’s Incredible PathIndian Forest Service officer Himanshu Tyagi spotlighted the bird’s fantastic expedition on X (formerly Twitter), sharing a map of its extensive route.He wrote, “This injured Eurasian Griffon was rescued in January, treated, and released back into the wild in Vidisha’s forests in March. Since then, it has travelled more than 15,000 km, journeying across multiple countries all the way to Kazakhstan, and has now returned to India. The world truly feels small for these birds."

Social Media Reacts With Awe and CuriosityThe revelation of Marich’s successful migration sparked a wave of reactions online.One user commented, “Nature at its finest. A rescued bird soaring across nations and returning home almost poetic!"Another wondered, “Interesting to know what is the average life of these birds."Someone else reflected on the vulture’s instincts, saying, “It’s truly amazing how these animals have only one law, the law of hunger – when they prey on others – but at other times they are ‘free birds’ (pun unexpected but happened)."A startled user added, “It’s just incredible to see griffon journey patterns. 15,000 km OMG!"Adding humour to the mix, another person wrote, “It didn’t have a VISA, nor a passport! Not even a few dollars, Euro, Rupee, or credit card for some emergencies! When could humans be truly free?"