Vultures in India

1. Vultures in India INDIA PROJECT FOR ANIMALS AND NATURE

2. Summary • The Indian Vulture species have suffered a 99%–97% population decrease in Pakistan and India • The cause of this has been identified as poisoning caused by the veterinary drug diclofenac • Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and when given to working /dairy animals it can reduce joint pain / other painful conditions, fever and so keep them working for longer. • The drug is ingested by vultures with the flesh of dead cattle which were given diclofenac in the last days of life. • Diclofenac causes kidney failure in several species of Vultures. • In March 2005 the Indian Government announced its support for a ban on the veterinary use of diclofenac. • Another NSAID, meloxicam, has been found to be harmless to vultures and should prove to be an acceptable substitute for diclofenac. • When meloxicam production is increased it is hoped that it will be as cheap as diclofenac. • As of August 2011 the ban for veterinary use has been in place for approximately a year but diclofenac is still being used for animals throughout India

3. Solution 1. Ban diclofenac • Use meloxicam instead 2. Proper disposal of carcasses

4. Meloxicam • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, “pain-killer” • EASILY available in India • Registered for veterinary use and widely used in small & large animal practice in western countries • Safe for vultures

5. Meloxicam20mg/ml • For large animal use • Dose for cattle 0.5mg/kg (2.5ml/100kg) • 300kg cow needs 7.5ml • 400kg cow needs 10ml • 30ml and 100ml bottles available (injection)

6. Meloxicam5mg/ml • For small animal use • If used for cattle, dose remains the same 0.5mg/kg but the REQUIRED VOLUME is higher because the strength of the drug as (mg/ml) is less • 400kg cow needs 40ml • Practical only for small animals use

7. OTHER ALTERNATIVES Ketoprofen Phenylbutazone Flunixin meglumin

8. Disposal of carcasses • WITHDRAWAL PERIOD • Not allowed to be slaughtered/milk to be consumed during certain number of days after medication • To protect public health • Even when cattle is not slaughtered for human consumption the same logic about the importance of withdrawal periods need to be understood • After medicating animals they are not fit to be consumed by people nor by vultures/other animals until certain time has passed. • This withdrawal time varies between medicines.

9. Disposal of carcasses Animals that die of any disease (death due to anything else than a predator attack) need to be properly disposed (buried deep/burned) FMD Blackquarter Anthrax

10. Disposal of carcasses • Burying • At least 6 feet deep and treated with lime • The location should be at least 100 feet from any property boundary or surface water, 200 feet from a private or community water supply, and 400 feet from a municipal water supply. • The buried material shall be placed at least 4 feet above the seasonal high water table and bedrock. • The carcasses shall be covered with at least 3 feet of clean fill immediately following placement in the ground.  Role of the local government bodies in the arrangement of the disposal??? • Burning • Need lot of firewood

11. Thank you