While the recent ban on aceclofenac and ketoprofen is undoubtedly a significant step forward, the battle for vulture conservation is far from won
A Lammergeier or Bearded Vulture found in the High Himalayas. Photo: iStock Today, on the International Day for Vulture Awareness, it is time to reflect on India’s journey in vulture conservation and the strides that have been made since 2000, while also acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead.
Vultures play a critical role in maintaining the ecological balance by scavenging ungulate carcasses and preventing the spread of diseases. However, the populations of these majestic birds have faced a steep decline over the years, primarily due to the use of diclofenac-based veterinary drugs.
India, home to nine species of vultures, has been at the forefront of conservation efforts. The recent ban on aceclofenac and ketoprofen, both harmful to vultures, has provided a glimmer of hope, but there is still much work to be done.
India’s vulture populations started plummeting in the 1990s due to the widespread use of diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), in veterinary medicine. When vultures fed on the carcasses of animals treated with diclofenac, they experienced kidney failure, leading to their rapid decline. Populations of some vulture species have decreased by over 99 per cent, pushing these birds to the brink of extinction.
In an encouraging turn of events, the Indian government banned the veterinary use of diclofenac in 2006. However, this ban was often poorly enforced, and other NSAIDs proven to be toxic to vultures, such as aceclofenac and ketoprofen, continued to pose threats to vultures. The recent ban on these drugs, heralded as a significant step forward, holds promise for vulture conservation in India. With the elimination of these toxic substances from the environment, the vulture population has a chance to rebound.
The prospects for vultures in India over the coming years are a mix of hope and caution. The ban on harmful drugs represents a positive shift but is just one piece of the puzzle. Vulture populations take time to recover, and the effects of past decades still linger.
While the recent ban on aceclofenac and ketoprofen is undoubtedly a significant step forward, the battle for vulture conservation is far from won. Nimesulide, another NSAID that is also harmful to vultures, still remains in use. This underscores the importance of a comprehensive approach that addresses all threats to these majestic birds. The journey towards vulture recovery demands a unified effort to eliminate all toxic substances from the environment.
Releasing captive-bred vultures back into the wild is a crucial aspect of conservation efforts. However, this endeavor is not without its challenges. The lingering presence of harmful drugs like nimesulide in the environment poses a serious risk to these released birds. To ensure the survival of these captive-bred individuals, it is imperative to remove all potential threats from their habitat. This underscores the urgency of not only banning vulture-toxic drugs but also eradicating their presence from the ecosystem.
Beyond pharmaceutical threats, vultures in India face a range of other challenges. Electrocution from power lines, which have become increasingly prevalent across the country, poses a grave danger to these birds. Vultures, often using these structures as perches, can accidentally come into contact with live wires, leading to fatalities. Addressing this threat requires a combination of regulatory measures, technological solutions, and public awareness campaigns to ensure that power lines are vulture-friendly.
The issue of accidental poisoning further compounds the challenges faced by vultures. When vultures consume carcasses of animals that have been poisoned with an intent to kill predators/scavengers or poaching, they fall victim to this threat. Such incidents highlight the intricate linkages between vultures and broader ecological issues, such as wildlife management practices. To combat secondary poisoning, vultures not only must be protected but also more holistic approaches to managing wildlife conflicts must be adopted.
It is worth acknowledging the vital role that protected areas (PAs) play in vulture conservation. PAs provide relatively safe havens for these birds, offering protected spaces for breeding and nesting. However, focusing solely on PAs might not be sufficient. Vultures often traverse large areas in search of food, and their survival depends on a landscape-level approach to conservation. The focus must now be on providing safe food sources for vultures and creating conducive habitats for breeding and nesting. Encouraging vulture-friendly practices outside PAs, such as promoting safe disposal of carcasses and reducing threats like poisoning, is equally essential.
As India commemorates the International Vulture Awareness Day, we are reminded of the intricate web of challenges and opportunities that define vulture conservation in the country. Besides the ban on the veterinary use of diclofenac, aceclofenac, and ketoprofen, a ban on nimesulide is also urgently required, along with a more comprehensive approach mandating pharmaceutical companies to conduct / fund safety testing of new NSAIDs on vultures before they are introduced in the market.
The lingering presence of nimesulide serves as a stark reminder that a comprehensive approach is necessary to ensure the survival of vultures. While captive breeding and release programs hold promise, they must be coupled with efforts to eliminate harmful drugs from the environment. Addressing threats like electrocution and secondary poisoning requires a multi-pronged approach that involves regulatory measures, technological innovations, and community engagement.
Vulture conservation is a testament to the interconnectedness of ecosystems and human actions. The decline of vultures serves as a warning about the unintended consequences of certain practices. Conversely, vulture recovery can serve as a beacon of hope, illustrating the positive outcomes of collective conservation action. As we move forward, let us redouble our efforts to protect these magnificent birds and ensure that India’s skies remain graced by the presence of vultures for generations to come.
Rinkita Gurav is Manager - Raptor Conservation Programme, WWF - India
Views expressed are the author’s own and don’t necessarily reflect those of Down To Earth
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