Chitwan, November 9 Six vultures that were protected in the Vulture Breeding Centre of Chitwan National Park were freed in their natural habitat today. The vultures from the national park were kept in a cage of the Jatayu Restaurant in Nawalparasi since April 13. The rare bird species was set free today at a function attended by Secretary of the Ministry of Forest Yubakdhwaj GC, and other officials from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and Chitwan National Park. Speaking at the function, Forest Secretary GC said such release after conserving the rare species was done for the first time in the world. Technicians from Nepal Birds Conservation Association and DNPWC were examining the health condition of the birds for the past one week, as per Krishna Bhusal, Vulture Conservation Programme officer. He said all the vultures were in good health and their satellite tags were functioning properly. The breeding centre currently has as many as 57 vultures. The vultures are being protected in Kasara Resort at CNP after collecting them from various parts of the country since 2008. Today’s release was part of the government’s plan to free at least 19 protected vultures from 2016 to 2019.