Status and conservation Indian vulture

long-billed vulture in flight

the indian vulture , white-rumped vulture, g. bengalensis species have suffered 99%–97% population decrease in bangladesh, pakistan , india. between 2000-2007 annual decline rates of species , slender-billed vulture averaged on sixteen percent. cause of has been identified poisoning caused veterinary drug diclofenac. diclofenac non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (nsaid) , when given working animals can reduce joint pain , keep them working longer. drug believed swallowed vultures flesh of dead cattle given diclofenac in last days of life.

diclofenac causes kidney failure in several species of vultures. in march 2006 indian government announced support ban on veterinary use of diclofenac. nsaid, meloxicam, has been found harmless vultures , should prove acceptable substitute diclofenac. when meloxicam production increased hoped cheap diclofenac. of august 2011 ban veterinary use approximately year did not prevent diclofenac use across india. small numbers of birds have bred across peninsular india, in karnataka , tamil nadu.

at nest (orchha, india)


captive-breeding programmes

captive-breeding programmes several species of indian vulture have been started. vultures long lived , slow in breeding, programmes expected take decades. vultures reach breeding age @ 5 years old. hoped captive-bred birds released wild when environment clear of diclofenac.

in 2014 saving asia s vultures extinction (save) programme announced expects start releasing captive-bred birds wild 2016.

two captive himalayan griffon vultures released in june, 2016 jatayu conservation breeding centre, pinjore part of asia s first vulture re-introduction program.