Bio-diversity

Five species of vultures in Asia are in grave danger of extinction across the Indian subcontinent. Populations of White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis, Long-billed Vulture G. indicus, (this species is only found in India and Pakistan) Slender-billed Vulture G. tenuirostris, Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus and Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus have declined rapidly within a decade (Oaks et al. 2004, Shultz et al. 2004, Green et al. 2004, Cuthbert et al. 2006). In Nepal, rapid declines of White-rumped and Slender-billed Vulture numbers have been documented from various places (Giri and Baral 2001, Baral 2002, Baral et al. 2002, 2003). Vultures have declined by the same degree throughout their ranges in Nepal and these declines are continuing, with the complete loss of breeding colonies and local extinctions increasingly taking place. Due to these declines, initially three species (White-rumped, Long-billed and Slender-billed) were listed as Critically Endangered by IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature in 2000, which is the highest category of threat. In 2007, two more species (Red-headed Vulture as Critically Endangered and Egyptian Vulture as Endangered) have been listed in the IUCN Red List. This has further shown the complexity of the problems. The cause of vulture declines has been shown to have been caused by the veterinary drug diclofenac (Oaks et al. 2004), which is widely used to treat livestock in Asia. Vultures are exposed to diclofenac by feeding on livestock carcasses which contain residues of this drug. A post-mortem examination of dead or dying birds from India and Nepal also showed the high incidence of diclofenac residues and visceral gout (Shultz et al. 2004). The result of mathematical modeling is consistent with the observed rate of population decline. Models indicate that only a small proportion (one in 130) of carcasses contaminated with lethal levels of diclofenac can cause the observed vulture mortality rate (Green et al. 2004). Recent research findings have indicated that meloxicam, a new generation NSAID, is safe for vultures and other scavenging birds (Swan et.al. 2006 & Swarup et. al. 2007). It is proven to be medically as effective as diclofenac, economically affordable and is a recommended drug to replace diclofenac for veterinary purpose. Also the drug meloxicam is being used in human medication more than 80 countries in the world The current efforts to save the vultures in Nepal include the banning of production and import of veterinary drug Diclofenac and promotion of a safe alternative drug Meloxicam. BCN is regularly monitoring the use of these drugs and exchanging Diclofenac with Meloxicam in its working areas. Awareness raising activities about the need to conserve vultures have been and are being conducted at national and local levels. Emphasis is being given to involve media in promoting the plight of vultures as well as the different conservation efforts. Surveys of vultures, their habitat and nesting colonies are being regularly carried out along with surveys of veterinary outlets. With support from the UNDP GEF SGP, a vulture restaurant (Jatayu restaurant in Nepali) has been established in Pithauli of Nawalparasi to provide safe food for vultures as well as to improve the socioeconomic condition of nearby community through income generating activities and similar restaurants are in the process of establishment at several other locations.

Nepal