Two citizens came to the rescue of an injured lappet-faced vulture or Nubian vulture in South Sharqiyah on Sunday. 

Yusef Khamis al Kamali and AhmedMohammad al Arimi found the rare bird in a critical condition and handed it over to Environment Authority.

With a wingspan of nearly 3m, the lappet-faced vulture (Torgos tracheliotos) is a big species, ranking as the longest and largest winged vulture in its range. It usually lays one egg in a single session and is listed as ‘endangered’ in the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.

An official at Environment Authority said the bird is rare and can be seen in the northern regions of Oman. 

“It will be provided with the necessary medical attention and then released to the natural environment,” he added.

On September 14, Buraimi resident Mohammed bin Rashid al Gaithi found a bird of the same species in poor health and handed it over to the authority.

Following the rescue on Sunday, the authority thanked the citizens and urged everyone to report such incidents concerning wildlife to it.

The Environment Authority has stated that people can reach it through its hotline 80071999.