Diclofenac ban gives vultures wings

The recent sightings raises hope among conservationist about rising count. Vultures are the most efficient natural scavengers. But the introduction of a anti-inflammatory drug for cattle proved fatal to them. With the ban on this drug, the population of vultures is rising steadily. Though there is no update statistics at present, increased sightings of vultures in various places have been reported in past couple of months.

Heap of dead vultures

The vulture conservationist have been vociferous against the use of diclofenac, used to treat diseases in cattle. Feeding on carcasses of livestock treated with the drug proved deadly for vultures. Since the formal drug's ban in 2008 the birds of prey have been able to return from the brink of extinction. Subsequently, the center introduced ketoprophane, an alternative of diclofenac. But conservationists opposed this move too, as the new drug posed threat to the survival of vultures.

Heap of dead Himalayan Griffon vultures

Till 1980's the population of vultures were nearly a million in the Indian Subcontinent. Then the downfall started and the vulture population fall as low as a few thousand. At that time there was no evidence to prove the mysterious death. But researchers finally found the silent killer, diclofenac.

Vulture is the best scavenger in nature. It keeps environment clean from dead and decaying carcusses and also prevent harmful epidemics. With no vultures, the dead and decaying carcasses are lying unattended for days. It then feed by stray dogs and crows. It has been observed that these dogs become ferocious and spread a very harmful disease called rabies.

We must give this bird a chance of survival. If the vulture losses this battle of survival then it will be the great shame for us. We must protect this bird before this efficient creature wiped out from the face of earth. Given a chance, nature will bounce back. And do watch the Youtube video "Vanishing Vultures".