scholarly journals Toxicity of diclofenac to Gyps vultures

2006 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerry E Swan ◽  
Richard Cuthbert ◽  
Miguel Quevedo ◽  
Rhys E Green ◽  
Deborah J Pain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Asia ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Veterinary Drug ◽  
Safety Testing ◽  
Gyps Fulvus ◽  
Gyps Indicus ◽  
Gyps Bengalensis ◽  
Alternative Drugs

Three endemic vulture species Gyps bengalensis , Gyps indicus and Gyps tenuirostris are critically endangered following dramatic declines in South Asia resulting from exposure to diclofenac, a veterinary drug present in the livestock carcasses that they scavenge. Diclofenac is widely used globally and could present a risk to Gyps species from other regions. In this study, we test the toxicity of diclofenac to a Eurasian ( Gyps fulvus ) and an African ( Gyps africanus ) species, neither of which is threatened. A dose of 0.8 mg kg −1 of diclofenac was highly toxic to both species, indicating that they are at least as sensitive to diclofenac as G. bengalensis , for which we estimate an LD 50 of 0.1–0.2 mg kg −1 . We suggest that diclofenac is likely to be toxic to all eight Gyps species, and that G. africanus , which is phylogenetically close to G. bengalensis , would be a suitable surrogate for the safety testing of alternative drugs to diclofenac.

scholarly journals First evidence that populations of the critically endangered Long-billed Vulture Gyps indicus in Pakistan have increased following the ban of the toxic veterinary drug diclofenac in south Asia

2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 389-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. JAMSHED I. CHAUDHRY ◽  
DARCY L. OGADA ◽  
RIFFAT N. MALIK ◽  
MUNIR Z. VIRANI ◽  
MATTHEW D. GIOVANNI
Keyword(s):  
South Asia ◽  
Small Population ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Veterinary Drug ◽  
Effective Management ◽  
Population Parameters ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Gyps Indicus ◽  
First Time

SummaryThe cliff-nesting Long-billed Vulture Gyps indicus is one of four critically endangered Asian Vultures. In India, this species has declined catastrophically, but in Pakistan only small population declines have been recorded. Mortality of this species has been linked to poisoning by veterinary diclofenac, which was banned throughout south Asia in 2006. Between 2003 and 2012 we measured abundance of adult, sub-adult, juvenile, and dead vultures, and nest occupancy and productivity at the largest known Long-billed Vulture colony in Pakistan. We compared population parameters from before (2003−2006) and after (2007−2012) the ban on veterinary diclofenac. Our data and models indicate that vulture abundance, nest occupancy, and nest productivity declined 61%, 73%, and 95%, respectively, in the three years before the diclofenac ban, and then increased 1–2 years after the ban by 55%, 52%, and 95%. Furthermore, we observed 87% of total vulture mortalities prior to the diclofenac ban. Our results demonstrate for the first time since the onset of the Asian vulture crisis that the ban on veterinary diclofenac is an effective management tool for reversing Long-billed Vulture population declines.

scholarly journals Population and spatial breeding dynamics of a Critically Endangered Oriental White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis colony in Sindh Province, Pakistan

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 415-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
CAMPBELL MURN ◽  
UZMA SAEED ◽  
UZMA KHAN ◽  
SHAHID IQBAL
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Management ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Nest Density ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Rate Of Increase ◽  
Sindh Province ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
Gyps Indicus ◽  
Gyps Bengalensis ◽  
The Impact

SummaryThe Critically Endangered Oriental White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis has declined across most of its range by over 95% since the mid-1990s. The primary cause of the decline and an ongoing threat is the ingestion by vultures of livestock carcasses containing residues of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, principally diclofenac. Recent surveys in Pakistan during 2010 and 2011 revealed very few vultures or nests, particularly of White-backed Vultures. From 2011 in the Tharparkar District of Sindh Province we monitored a colony of Oriental White-backed Vultures. Between 2011 and 2014 the number of active nests in this colony increased from 11 to 34 while nest density decreased from 13.7 to 9.2 nests km-2, suggesting that the colony is expanding. We conclude that the rate of increase is being subsidised by immigration, as the population demographics do not support the observed rate of increase in nests. We present the first analysis of spatial breeding dynamics for the Oriental White-backed Vulture and describe how a clustered pattern of nest trees in colonies supports a highly clustered pattern of nests. The spatial pattern of nests relies on both the distribution of trees and the ability of trees to support more than one nest. These results highlight that the preservation of larger nest trees and the sustainable management of timber resources are essential components for the conservation management of this species. We emphasise the high importance of this colony and a nearby Long-billed Vulture Gyps indicus colony in this area of Pakistan. Recommended conservation management actions include the continuation of a Vulture Safe Zone established in 2012, measuring breeding success, assessing dispersal and determining the impact of mortality on these populations.

scholarly journals Trends in the availability of the vulture-toxic drug, diclofenac, and other NSAIDs in South Asia, as revealed by covert pharmacy surveys

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
TOBY H. GALLIGAN ◽  
JOHN W. MALLORD ◽  
VIBHU M. PRAKASH ◽  
KRISHNA P. BHUSAL ◽  
A. B. M. SAROWAR ALAM ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
South Asia ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Conservation Priorities ◽  
Safety Testing ◽  
Inflammatory Drug ◽  
Toxic Drug ◽  
Awareness Raising ◽  
Toxic Drugs ◽  
Made In

Summary The catastrophic declines of three species of ‘Critically Endangered’ Gyps vultures in South Asia were caused by unintentional poisoning by the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) diclofenac. Despite a ban on its veterinary use in 2006 (India, Nepal, Pakistan) and 2010 (Bangladesh), residues of diclofenac have continued to be found in cattle carcasses and in dead wild vultures. Another NSAID, meloxicam, has been shown to be safe to vultures. From 2012 to 2018, we undertook covert surveys of pharmacies in India, Nepal and Bangladesh to investigate the availability and prevalence of NSAIDs for the treatment of livestock. The purpose of the study was to establish whether diclofenac continued to be sold for veterinary use, whether the availability of meloxicam had increased and to determine which other veterinary NSAIDs were available. The availability of diclofenac declined in all three countries, virtually disappearing from pharmacies in Nepal and Bangladesh, highlighting the advances made in these two countries to reduce this threat to vultures. In India, diclofenac still accounted for 10–46% of all NSAIDs offered for sale for livestock treatment in 2017, suggesting weak enforcement of existing regulations and a continued high risk to vultures. Availability of meloxicam increased in all countries and was the most common veterinary NSAID in Nepal (89.9% in 2017). Although the most widely available NSAID in India in 2017, meloxicam accounted for only 32% of products offered for sale. In Bangladesh, meloxicam was less commonly available than the vulture-toxic NSAID ketoprofen (28% and 66%, respectively, in 2018), despite the partial government ban on ketoprofen in 2016. Eleven different NSAIDs were recorded, several of which are known or suspected to be toxic to vultures. Conservation priorities should include awareness raising, stricter implementation of current bans, bans on other vulture-toxic veterinary NSAIDs, especially aceclofenac and nimesulide, and safety-testing of other NSAIDs on Gyps vultures to identify safe and toxic drugs.

scholarly journals Status and population of vultures in Moyar Valley, southern India

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 8358
Author(s):  
R. Venkitachalam ◽  
S. Senthilnathan
Keyword(s):  
Southern India ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Flock Size ◽  
Tiger Reserve ◽  
Forest Division ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Gyps Indicus ◽  
Gyps Bengalensis ◽  
First Time

<p>Four species of vultures were surveyed using road transects in two parts of the Moyar Valley, three of these are Critically Endangered by IUCN criteria and one is Endangered.  The vulture study was done for the first time in Nilgiri North Forest Division and Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve of Moyar Valley to determine the flock size in the three species of vultures and also to get a rough estimation of vultures. The results show higher flock size and higher densities in Nilgiri North Forest Division than in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve and the most numerous of these was the White-rumped Vulture.  There is also evidence of seasonal movements in Nilgiri North Forest Division.  These data represent the first systematic survey results from the area and demonstrate the significance of the Moyar Valley for all four Endangered vulture species, probably the main stronghold remaining in southern India.  They are White-rumped Vulture <em>Gyps bengalensis</em>, Indian Vulture <em>Gyps indicus</em>, Red-headed Vulture <em>Sarcogyps calvus</em> and Egyptian Vulture <em>Neophron percnopterus</em>.  The study recommends that immediate long-term conservation efforts should be taken to save the Critically Endangered vultures in the Moyar Valley.</p><div> </div>

scholarly journals Monitoring of Gyps species vulture in Nawalparasi district, Nepal

1970 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 35-43
Author(s):  
P Subedi
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
School Children ◽  
Veterinary Drug ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Conservation Awareness ◽  
Vulture Conservation ◽  
Gyps Bengalensis ◽  
Breeding Status

Critically endangered White-rumped vulture (WRV), Gyps bengalensis and Slender-billed vulture (SBV), Gyps tenuirostris monitoring was conducted in Nawalparasi district in the winter of 2005 following Postupalsky criterion. The objectives of this study were to identify and monitor nest localities, behaviour and to explore information about the vultures. A total of 48 Gyps vulture nest was located at six colonies. Of these nests, 18 were found to be active nets, six nests belonged to SBV and 12 nests belonged to WRV. Hundred percent nestling successes were observed in the study area. Restricted pesticides i.e. BHC and DDT were found used in this area. Diclofenac was the commonly used veterinary drug in the treatment of livestock. Carcasses disposal practice was found favorable to the vulture's survival. Gyps vulture richness found in this area is due to the availability of food i.e. floating carcass along the edge of the Narayani river and suitable habitat for roosting and nesting. The majority of the respondents had found favorable attitude towards vulture conservation. Further studies on Gyps vulture to identify the breeding status, head droppings behavior as well as conservation awareness program for local people and school children are recommended for long-term survival of these lords of the sky in the study area. Key words: Gyps vulture, monitoring, diclofenac, pesticides   doi: 10.3126/banko.v18i2.2171 Banko Janakari, Vol. 18, No. 2, 35-43

scholarly journals Recent changes in populations of Critically Endangered Gyps vultures in India

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
VIBHU PRAKASH ◽  
TOBY H. GALLIGAN ◽  
SOUMYA S. CHAKRABORTY ◽  
RUCHI DAVE ◽  
MANDAR D. KULKARNI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Indian Subcontinent ◽  
Population Trends ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Rapid Decline ◽  
Eastern India ◽  
Inflammatory Drug ◽  
Low Level ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Gyps Bengalensis

SummaryPopulations of the White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis, Indian Vulture G. indicus and Slender-billed Vulture G. tenuirostris declined rapidly during the mid-1990s all over their ranges in the Indian subcontinent because of poisoning due to veterinary use of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac. This paper reports results from the latest in a series of road transect surveys conducted across northern, central, western and north-eastern India since the early 1990s. Results from the seven comparable surveys now available were analysed to estimate recent population trends. Populations of all three species of vulture remained at a low level. The previously rapid decline of White-rumped Vulture has slowed and may have reversed since the ban on veterinary use of diclofenac in India in 2006. A few thousand of this species, possibly up to the low tens of thousands, remained in India in 2015. The population of Indian Vulture continued to decline, though probably at a much slower rate than in the 1990s. This remains the most numerous of the three species in India with about 12,000 individuals in 2015 and a confidence interval ranging from a few thousands to a few tens of thousands. The trend in the rarest species, Slender-billed Vulture, which probably numbers not much more than 1,000 individuals in India, cannot be determined reliably.

scholarly journals On the diversity of the vertebrate fauna (excluding fishes) of Panchet Hill (Garh Panchkot), Purulia, West Bengal, India

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (15) ◽  
pp. 12979-12985
Author(s):  
Sanjib Chattopadhyay ◽  
Somenath Dey ◽  
Utpal Singha Roy
Keyword(s):  
Relative Abundance ◽  
West Bengal ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Information Collection ◽  
Vertebrate Species ◽  
Multiple Methods ◽  
Vertebrate Fauna ◽  
Gyps Bengalensis ◽  
Hyaena Hyaena ◽  
Near Threatened

The present study was conducted at Panchet Hill (Garh Panchkot), Purulia, West Bengal between June 2013 and May 2015.  Multiple methods were used for making a consolidated checklist and comments on the relative abundance of vertebrate diversity, excluding fishes.  The methods included hand capturing, extensive searches in micro habitats, opportunistic spotting and information collection from the local people.  A total of 106 different vertebrate species were recorded during the study span of two years.  Aves was recorded as the Class with the highest diversity (63 species) while Amphibia was recorded as the Class with the lowest diversity (9 species).  Most of the species recorded during the present study belong to ‘Least Concern’ category as designated by IUCN.  The Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus and Striped Hyaena Hyaena hyaena belong to ‘Near Threatened’ category while the White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis belongs to ‘Critically Endangered’ category.  The present study location is facing pressures from the usual anthropogenic interventions and needs attention from the concerned authorities.

scholarly journals Status of Critically Endangered Vultures in Dang Deukhuri Foothill Forests and West Rapti Wetlands

1970 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 28-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bishnu Prasad Shrestha ◽  
Bishnu Prasad Devkota
Keyword(s):  
Population Size ◽  
Habitat Destruction ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Household Surveys ◽  
Population Status ◽  
Absolute Count ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Gyps Bengalensis ◽  
Conservation Threats ◽  
Absolute Population

Vultures play a highly important ecological role through the rapid consumption of animal carcasses. Of 22 vulture species in the world, eight species are found in Nepal. The study was carried out in Dang Deukhuri valley with objectives of assessing present population status of critically endangered vultures and conservation threats to these vultures. To study population status, direct survey and repeated absolute count methods were used; population size estimated through Jacknife technique; nest occupancy determined by nest census method. Similarly, interview/household surveys were conducted to assess the present food availability and livestock condition; conservation threats to vultures. The range of absolute population size of the critically endangered vultures; Gyps bengalensis, Gyps tenuirostris and Sarcogyps calvus were found 44, 21 and 18 respectively in Dang Deukhuri valley. The major threat to vultures is diclofenac contamination of livestock carcasses and other threats are habitat destruction, disturbance & hunting, lack of awareness, food shortage, poisoning and pesticide use in the area.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/init.v4i0.5533The Initiation Vol.4 2011 28-34

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