ITANAGAR: Researchers from Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU), near here have claimed to spot three endangered species of vultures at Dying Ering Wildlife Sanctuary in East Siang district, during the course of research studies. The team of researchers including Dr Daniel Mize, RGU Assistant Professor and Junior Research fellow Rajat Chetry who, underwent research studies here for a week recently, as part of a project to assess vulture population status in Siang region, said that they have come across several species of vulture, out of which three endangered species – Gyps Bengalensis, Gyps Indicus and Gyps Tenuirostris were also recorded. After toiling for three days, the team encountered a group of 49 vultures including Cinerous vulture, Lammergeier or bearded vulture, Himalayan Griffon, Eurasian griffon, long-billed vulture, Slendered-billed vulture and white-rumped vulture. Cinerous vulture, bearded vulture and Eurasian griffon were seen for the first time in the sanctuary, the team informed. “The site seems to harbour the last and drastically declining vulture population in Siang region because survey at other areas of Siang could not trace any vulture,” the team said. “The sanctuary is perhaps the most suitable habitat left for vulture in the entire Siang region today. Therefore, efficient management of the Sanctuary is quite necessary to conserve and protect the surviving vultures in the sanctuary to increase the vulture population,” Dr Mize added. The sanctuary, named after former MP from Arunachal Pradesh Dying Ering, who is also considered as the ‘father of modern Arunachal’ is presently on a ‘reviving’ course due to intensified regular monitoring and patrolling by forest officials to check rampant hunting. The sanctuary is a well-known destination for bird watching especially water borne birds, which recorded a total of 150 approximately, including the endangered Bengal Florican besides other land borne animals like Cheetal, Hog Deer, Sambar, Nilgai, wild boar, water buffalo, leopard, panther, langur, Sloth bear, python and elephant.