MONDAY, May 5, (News Locale) - The Indian White-rumped Vulture biologically known as Gyps bengalensis is resident to south Asia mainly Pakistan and North India. Unfortunately we might not see this bird in the wilds anymore as unregulated and reckless use of the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac has now brought the Indian Vulture to the brink of extinction, a new study has warned.  

The vultures have suffered a 99 percent population decrease in India due to poisoning by diclofenac, the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which is used to treat pain in cattle. This drug causes kidney failure in birds eating the carcasses of treated cattle.

A study published in the Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society says that diclofenac continues to pose a problem to the food chain of the vultures despite a ban being put in place in 2006. The study warns that the population of these birds has declined by 40 percent annually since 1992.

BirdLife International estimates that the population of the Indian Vultures may be just over 10,000 presently down from millions just three decades ago.

Another concerning factor is that there has been a severe decline in the numbers of Indian G. indicus and the slender-billed vulture G. tenuirostri as well. It is estimated that they are just 45,000 and 1,000 respectively.

Bombay Natural History Society has warned that unless diclofenac is completely taken off livestock feeding, the vulture numbers will continue to decline.

BirdLife has already classed this species as critically endangered, "This species qualifies as Critically Endangered because it has suffered an extremely rapid population decline, particularly across the Indian subcontinent, probably as a result of feeding on carcasses of animals treated with the veterinary drug diclofenac, perhaps in combination with other causes," it said in BirdLife International  Species factsheet 2007.

The organization has proposed the following measures to save the species
* Identify the location and number of remaining individuals and identify action required to prevent extinction
* Measure the frequency of diclofenac treated carcasses available to vultures.
* Establish a study group to coordinate collection and analysis of data and compile an action plan for Asian vultures.
* Gain government commitment to control veterinary use of diclofenac, and support species management or restoration, as needed.

For full access to the Indian Vulture factsheet please visit BirdLife International .

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