Vulture news 55.indd

The Gyps vultures of South Asia are large on the internal organs as the almost birds with relatively unknown, foraging, vultures. Eliminating the possible causes patterns. Populations of Gyps vultures on of renal failure in birds the team found the Indian subcontinent were considered their culprit among the region’s recently to livestock on the Indian subcontinent. the same reasons that a human might take three Asian Gyps vultures were listed aspirin or ibuprofen, it masks nominal as critically endangered. Population surveys estimated that the three species of Gyps vultures (Gyps bengalensis, Gyps in the region in the veterinary treatment indicus, and Gyps tenuirostris) had suffered of domestic livestock, carcasses of which are the vultures’ primary food source. species represent half of all raptors In a part of the world where livestock classified in this most precarious state of play integral roles in the livelihood of work force. At 50 cents (US dollars) per treatment, it is also a cheap drug. Sales of the drug in India exceeded 10 million fears of viral or bacterial threat. These doses in 2004, and it is manufactured and Fund’s team of biologists, who had been diclofenac was the cause of renal failure Vulture News 55 September 2006of carcasses found in the wild needed accounted for vulture feeding frequency, documentary, The Last Flight from All toxicity of diclofenac (birds can die of that only one contaminated carcass in within six months. Fifteen months later 250 was necessary for the observed carcasses revealed that nearly one in months, and some manufacturers have ten had sufficient levels of diclofenac to cause renal failure in a Gyps vulture.
for in state of the art facilities by people for safe-keeping and to initiate a captive breeding programme; and eventually significant expenditure of resources on releasing the captive bred vultures once suggest that national pride led Pakistani officials to stop relocation of the last AVPP, a Peregrine Fund initiative to remaining Pakistani Gyps vultures outside monitor the last remaining colonies of the Asian Gyps vultures, show that two motive, if there is any, is not known. of the largest breeding colonies (~1400 breeding pairs) have been extirpated, government action, and its limited and only about 40 breeding pairs effectiveness given the relative ease of colony of G. bengalensis. The only ban even in regions where it has been banned, September 2006 Vulture News 55The Peregrine Fund and its partners suggests that vultures provided food will reduce the distance at which they forage mortality. It is a short-term strategy, but sensibilities of veterinarians and livestock important at this time to sustain enough birds in the wild until long term solutions information dissemination to curtail the example of a public information flyer is South Asia as a natural carcass disposal a substitute for diclofenac is a promising Unfortunately, while the plight of these of diclofenac, and not toxic to vultures. decline at a rapid rate. Political inertia Cameron Ellis, The Peregrine Fund, 5668 West Flying Hawk Lane, Boise, ID 83709, USA. E-mail address: [email protected] Assist The Peregrine Fund’s Asian Vulture Population Project by submitting breeding information about vultures in South Asia (species, how many nests, how many chicks, geographical location, etc.). Visit the Asian Vulture Population Project at: www.peregrinefund.org/vulture This flyer is being distributed in South Asia by The Peregrine Fund, Bombay Natural History Society, and others.
For more information visit: www.peregrinefund.org/vulture

Source: https://www.peregrinefund.org/docs/pdf/research-library/2006/2006-Ellis-vultures.pdf