ABSTRACT
The Greater Adjutant (Leptoptilos dubius) is an endangered species of stork, locally extirpated from the state of Bihar in India, with only 400 remaining in the state of Assam in India. These birds suffer from a dichotomous cultural perception – revered in Bihar for their cleaning services and ostracised in Assam for being unhygienic and unappealing. Among their many local names, two stand out: “Hargila” (bone swallower) in Assam and “Garud” (vehicle of Lord Vishnu, a Hindu deity) in Bihar. Cutting of nesting trees and pesticide poisoning has led to a population crash of this species. This is a story of how attempts were made to conserve this stork species by appealing to local religious and cultural sentiments.
