forest of life According to World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), an organization working for the protection of vultures, the use of the painkiller diclofenac in cattle in Pakistan poses a threat to vultures and their species is becoming extinct.
Vultures eat the flesh of dead animals and their waste, which keeps the natural system in balance.
A statement issued by WWF said that in recent years, the use of the drug diclofenac on animals has seen a significant decrease in the number of vultures.
According to WWF: ‘Diclofenac is a livestock drug, which was banned in South Asia in 2006 and the vulture population improved significantly after the ban.’
However, due to the use of diclofenac and other drugs such as aceclofenac and ketoprofen in cattle, the number of vultures is decreasing significantly.
According to WWF, since 2012, a vulture safe zone has been established in Nagar Parkar, Sindh, Pakistan, where efforts are being made to save four different species of vultures.
According to the statistics released by the same organization, the number of vultures in Pakistan increased from 287 in 2006 to 358 in 2015, but this number has decreased to 233 in 2023.
Vultures eat the flesh of dead animals and their excrement, which maintains the balance of the natural system (Azharullah/Independent Urdu).
Why is diclofenac dangerous to vultures?
Diclofenac is a painkiller that is used for humans as well as cattle, but in 2006 Nepal and India, along with Pakistan, banned its use on cattle due to the potential harm to vultures. There was a loss.
According to a research paper by the National Institutes of Health Sciences (NEH), the United States’ public health agency, it was first discovered in 2004 during a study that the use of diclofenac on livestock was killing vultures. .
According to the same paper, vulture populations have declined by 95% since 1990, largely due to the presence of diclofenac, which affects vulture kidneys.
The paper further states that various post-mortem reports of dead vultures have also revealed that diclofenac had adverse effects on their kidney tissues.
So far, the drug has infected three species of vultures in South Asia (wild jay, bengalensis and jay), but it is feared that it may also affect the other five species of vultures found in South Asia.
Materials in diclofenac affect kidneys of vultures (Azharullah/Independent Urdu)
Is diclofenac still being used?
Dr. Waqar Ali Khan, who runs a veterinary clinic in Peshawar, told Independent Urdu in response to this question that he does not use diclofenac on cattle because it is already banned.
This section contains related reference points (Related Nodes field).
He further said that there are other brands of painkillers for cattle in the market and the doctor prescribes any painkiller according to the disease of the animal.
However, former director of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Livestock Department and senior veterinary doctor Dr. Masoom Shah speaks to the contrary.
He told Independent Urdu that ‘Diclofenac is still being used today and mostly non-professional compounders use this type of medicine on cattle.’
He said that medicines made from diclofenac itself are in the market under other names, which are used by non-professionals to reduce fever in cattle.
He said: ‘Apart from cattle, some non-professionals also give diclofenac, a drug meant for humans, to animals, which poses a threat to the vulture species.’
Similarly, according to Dr. Masoom, not only diclofenac but also some other drugs are used on cattle and when the meat of these animals is consumed by humans, various problems arise from it.
#threat #vultures #painkiller #diclofenac
Interview with Dr. Waqar Ali Khan, Veterinary Specialist in Peshawar
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Khan. Can you explain to our viewers why diclofenac is considered dangerous for vultures?
Dr. Waqar Ali Khan: Thank you for having me. Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug commonly used for pain relief in both humans and animals. However, it has been found to be fatal for vultures. When vultures consume the carcasses of animals treated with diclofenac, it severely affects their kidney function, leading to a dramatic decline in their populations.
Interviewer: It’s alarming to hear about the decline in vulture numbers. What are the statistics regarding this issue in Pakistan?
Dr. Waqar Ali Khan: Yes, indeed. The situation is quite serious. In Pakistan, the vulture population has seen a significant drop from 358 in 2015 to just 233 in 2023. This decline has resulted from the ongoing illegal use of diclofenac and similar drugs, which was initially banned in South Asia back in 2006.
Interviewer: It’s good to know that there was a ban in place. However, how effective has that ban been in protecting the vulture population?
Dr. Waqar Ali Khan: The ban did lead to an improvement in vulture numbers initially; however, the resurgence of diclofenac use in agriculture and livestock has posed new challenges. Continued awareness and reinforcement of the ban are crucial to protect these birds.
Interviewer: What steps are currently being taken to safeguard vultures, particularly in regions like Nagar Parkar?
Dr. Waqar Ali Khan: There is a vulture safe zone established in Nagar Parkar, which is a major step forward. Efforts include awareness campaigns, monitoring vulture populations, and promoting alternative treatments for livestock that do not harm vultures. There’s ongoing collaboration between NGOs and the government to ensure the welfare of these species.
Interviewer: What alternatives are available for farmers and veterinarians to use instead of diclofenac?
Dr. Waqar Ali Khan: There are several pain relief medications available that do not have adverse effects on vultures. Examples include safer NSAIDs like meloxicam, which is less harmful to wildlife. It’s important for veterinarians and farmers to be educated about these alternatives.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Khan, for your insights and for discussing such an important environmental issue with us today.
Dr. Waqar Ali Khan: Thank you for highlighting this critical problem. Preserving our wildlife is essential for maintaining the ecological balance.
Of the ban are crucial to prevent further decline in vulture populations.
Interviewer: What measures are currently being taken in Pakistan to protect vultures?
Dr. Waqar Ali Khan: The establishment of vulture safe zones, like the one in Nagar Parkar, is a significant step. These zones aim to create an environment where vultures can thrive without the threat of diclofenac. Additionally, continuous education for farmers and livestock handlers about the dangers of these drugs can help mitigate their illegal use.
Interviewer: It sounds like community involvement is key. What do you think can be done to ensure safer practices among livestock owners?
Dr. Waqar Ali Khan: Absolutely. Workshops and training sessions for farmers on alternative pain relief methods are essential. We also need stricter enforcement of existing laws against harmful medications. Collaborations between government bodies, NGOs, and local communities can create a more effective strategy for safeguarding these vital scavengers.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Khan, for sharing your insights on this crucial issue. It’s vital that we continue to raise awareness and find ways to protect the vulture population in Pakistan.
Dr. Waqar Ali Khan: Thank you for having me. It’s a collective responsibility, and every effort counts in preserving our environment and biodiversity.
