vulture conservation program vulture conservation program

Vulture Conservation

Program

FINAL REPORT SUBMITTED TO

Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Van Tienhoven Foundation, The Netherlands

The Peregrine Fund USAParahawking: Share the Sky

SUBMITTED BY

Hem Sagar BaralAshok K Ram

Badri ChaudharyPrativa Kaspal

Rabindra MandalPrava PandeySharad Singh

Himalayan Nature

2011

Vulture Conservation

Program

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Nest Monitoring ofWhite-rumped Vulture

at Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve

Report to

Department of National Parks and Wildlife ConservationThe Peregrine Fund USA

Van Tienhoven Foundation-The Netherlands

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Introduction

Five species of vultures in Asia are in grave danger of extinction across the Indian subcontinent (BirdLife Internatinal 2011). Populations of White-rumped Gyps bengalensis, Long-billed G. indicus and Slender-billed Vultures G. tenuirostris have declined by more than 97% in India (Prakash et al. 2003; Pain et al. 2004) and Pakistan and annual rates of decline appear to be increasing. 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, all three species were listed as Critically Endangered by IUCN - The World Conservation Union in 2000, which is the highest category of threat. The cause of these 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 in 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).

In order to halt the decline of Gyps vultures in Asia, captive breeding centres have been established in the range states to secure some of the remaining healthy birds from the wild to breeding in captivity. It is aimed that once the vultures in the centers start breeding, the fledged young will be rehabilitated in the wild, when natural environment is free of diclofenac and similar harmful NSAIDs . Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, part of the Ministry of the Forests and Soil Conservation, Government of Nepal has played a lead role in establishing the only vulture conservation breeding center in Chitwan National Park (Baral 2008). Recent research findings have indicated that meloxicam, a new generation NSAID, is safe for vultures and other scavenging birds (Swan et al. 2006). It is proven to be medically as effective as diclofenac and is a recommended drug to replace diclofenac for veterinary purpose.

There are several nest colonies of vultures in Nepal. White-rumped nest colonies are mostly in the lowland plains and

foothills. Last breeding season, the number of vulture nests has increased in some places and decreased in others. The largest breeding colony located west of Chitwan National Park, and well-known for its community managed vulture restaurant saw a decline in nesting vulture numbers last year (Dhan Bahadur Chaudhary verbally 2010). Vultures are still threatened because of various reasons, the main culprit of this rapid decline is undoubtedly the veterinary drug diclofenac. On the background of this grim scenario, Himalayan Nature has started monitoring of the White-rumped Vulture in and around Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. This is a continuity program of the original work initiated by The Peregrine Fund in the year 2000 in Nepal.

Objective

The overall objective of the project is to conserve the critically endangered population of vultures by involving the local communities in nest monitoring and by developing aware ness level in locals for their conservation.

Specific objectives are as follows:- To document the nest status and distribution of White-

rumped Vulture,- To conduct regular, monthwise nest monitoring

program,- To find out threats to the species,- To build local capacity in vulture monitoring, awareness

and conservation

Study Area

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR, 26°35'N 87°05' E) occupies 17500 ha of the Sapta Koshi River floodplain at the most northeasterly extension of the Gangetic Plain with an altitude from 75-81 m (Baral and Inskipp 2005). It was established in 1976 and spread over three districts of eastern Nepal. The floodplain is a complex mosaic of lotic and lentic ecosystem and characterized by grassy marshes, oxbow lakes, swamp lakes and many depressions which retain water throughout the year. Including the buffer zone it covers an area of 348 km², however the core area is only 175km² and is in rectangular shape. The reserve is the first Ramsar site of the country which was enlisted on 17 December 1987. This area is managed under protected area system of the country.

KTWR provides habitat for 485 species of resident and migratory birds (Baral 2005). The area holds large populations

Project BackgroundInside Koshi Tappu, 42 nests and outside Koshi 1 nest of White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis had been observed last year. This was the second largest colony in the country and holds national and international importance. Last year, a record number of 102 White-rumped and 258 Himalayan Vultures were recorded at Koshi after a number of years. The high vulture numbers seen around Koshi might have come from adjoining areas of India or elsewhere from Nepal. Koshi continues to attract vulture species and numbers therefore nest monitoring work was identified as a priority work by Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve and Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation authorities.

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of globally threatened Swamp Francolin and is home to nearly all the water birds recorded in this country (Baral and Inskipp 2005). It also has the largest heronry in Nepal. Besides, KTWR is a home to other threatened mammals such as South Asian River Dolphin, Gharial, Marsh Mugger, Hog Deer, Smooth-coated Otter, Soft-shell Turtle and many other aquatic species. It is the only remaining habitat of Asian Wild Water Buffalo in Nepal, whose population is 219 according to 2009 census. The existing vegetation of the reserve consists of diverse physiographic types, which harbors 658 species of plants including submerged, aquatic, floating and tall reed grassland. The forest types include Dalbergia-Acacia, Bombax-Trewia and the grassland includes Typha, Vetivera, Phragmites, Imperata and Saccharum spp.

Methods

Nests were monitored in a monthly basis by direct observation using binoculars and telescopes. As the area where the vultures nest was infested with Wild Buffalo and Wild Elephants, special precautions had to be taken for safety in the field. During the program, a total of six local community members were also trained to carry out nest monitoring program.

On each count, participants assembled in Madhuban, Koshi Camp. An inflatable rubber boat was packed and loaded on a jeep. The team left for a short drive before starting a boat ride

Some photos from the study area:

to get across the Koshi River. Boatman waited until the crew returned back after the count. The crew took nearly whole day to cover the area in search of vulture nests.

Each nest tree was marked with unique number to avoid double counting. Following details were noted, vulture species, tree species, tree height, nest height, nest's position on main trunk or side branch, etc. GPS positions were taken for the whole area. Please refer Annex I for details.

Results

A total of 42 nests was located in the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. All nests belonged to one species White-rumped Vulture. As many as 37 nests were on Silk-Cotton Tree Bombax ceiba, rest five in Vellor Tree Trewia nudiflora.

Chicks were raised successfully from 38 nests to fledgling. Four nests had failed by February 2011 and they remained unattended for the rest of the monitoring period. All the failed nests were on Silk-Cotton Trees. The success ratio for breeding was 90%.

Furthermore, the project helped to build local capacity by training them in conducting research, nest monitoring skills as well as raising awareness. It conducted interaction programs among the veterinary community on the role of diclofenac in vulture decline (see a separate report on this).

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Discussion

The success ratio of the vulture breeding is one of the highest in the country. Although at this stage it's not known how far the Koshi vultures travel to and where, it is likely that vultures here mainly feed on feral cattle and dead animals within the reserve. Elsewhere vulture food is largely composed of domestic cattle such as Nawalparasi and Lumbini nest colonies.

This project aimed at conserving vultures in their natural habitat by mobilizing local communities, conducting mass awareness-raising campaigns, protecting nests, and working out for the provision of providing safe food and elimination of diclofenac from surrounding areas.

Though the Indian government now prohibits manufacture of diclofenac, remaining stocks are still in use as enforcement of its ban is lax and alternative drugs are more expensive. Conservationists are concerned that the birds’ declines will be difficult to reverse and that some species may be extinct within a decade. The White-rumped Vulture is one of the hardest-hit species; its populations have plummeted 99.9 percent within a decade. Further challenging conservation efforts: White-rumped vultures lay only one egg at a time. Efforts are underway to reduce losses of vultures from traditional practices through rescue, rehabilitation and public education. As vultures are the key scavengers in South Asia, the loss of these birds would remove a key, irreplaceable category of biodiversity from our environment.

The concept of saving the remaining vultures by establishing Vulture Feeding Area inside Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve has been formulated. A feeding site has been identified south of the Koshi Tappu. Further discussion with Koshi Tappu and Conservation and Sustainable Use of Wetlands in Nepal (a UNDP-funded project till end of 2012) are ongoing.

Nest and NSAID monitoring program together with awareness campaign are recommended for the coming year. As awareness program is more effective with audio-visual, making of some documentary should be given the priority.

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by The Peregrine fund, USA and Van Tienhoven Foundation, The Netherlands. We would like to thank staff of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve for their support and cooperation. Special thanks go to Anish Timsina, Dhiraj Chaudhari, Krishna Bidari, Rajjilal Uranw, Uttam Adhikari, Sanjib Acharya, Suman Acharya, Jagat Giri, Buddhi Timsina and Arjun Karki for their cooperation in data collection. Last but not least, local people of the study area deserve sincere appreciation for their help and cooperation during the study period.

References collected and consulted

Baral, H. R. 2002. Collapse of vulture population in Lumbini. Danphe 11(4): 4–5. BirdLife International (2001) Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book. Cambridge, U.K.: BirdLife International

Baral, H. S. 2005. Birds of Koshi. Second edition. Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Participatory Conservation Programme and Bird Conservation Nepal. Kathmandu.Baral, H. S. 2008. Conservation Breeding Centre: securing future for threatened vultures. Danphe 17(2). Baral, H.S., Giri J.B., Som, G.C., Giri, D., Bindari, B., Subedi, H., Khadka, K. and Baral, H.B. 2002. Study of Vultures in Lowland Nepal. A report submitted to The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, UK. Unpublished. Baral, H.S., Giri, J.B., Poudel, N., Upadhyay, G.P., Watson, R. and Virani, M. 2003. Summary of results from the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal for the field seasons 2000/2001, 2001/2002, and 2002/2003-(02 Dec 03) Download <http:// www.peregrinefund.org/archived_conserve.asp?Baral, H. S. and Inskipp, C. 2005. Important Bird Areas in Nepal: key sites for conservation. BirdLife International and Bird Conservation Nepal, Cambridge and Kathmandu. BirdLife International 2000. Threatened Birds of the World. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK; Lynx Editions and BirdLife International. P:180. BirdLife International 2001. Threatened Birds of Asia. BirdLife International, Cambridge. 966-980. BirdLife International 2011. IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 1/12/2011. Giri, J. and Baral, H.S. 2001. Study of Vultures in Lowland Nepal. Final report submitted to The Peregrine Fund, USA. Green R. E., Newton, I, Shultz, S., Cunningham, A. A., Gilbet, M., Pain, D. J. and Prakash, V. 2004. Diclofenac poisoning as a cause of vulture population declines across the Indian subcontinent. J. Anim. Ecol. 41: 793–800 Oaks, J.L., Gilbert, M., Virani, M.Z., Waston R.T., Meteyer, C.U., Rideout, B.A., Shivaprasad, H.L., Ahmed, S., Chaudhry, M.J.I., Ashrad, M., Mahmood, S., Ali, A. and Khan, A.A. 2004. Diclofenac residue as the cause of vulture population decline in Pakistan. Nature Vol 427:(12), 630-633. Pain, D. J. and Prakash, V. 2004. Diclofenac poisoning as a cause of vulture population declines across the Indian subcontinent. J. Anim. Ecol. 41: 793–800. Prakash, V. 200. Status and distribution of vultures in India with special reference to the population crash in Gyps species. Pp. 4–6 in T. Katzner and J. Parry-Jones (eds) Reports from the workshop on Indian Gyps vultures, 4th Eurasian congress on raptors, Sevilla, Spain, September 2001. Seville, Spain: Estación Biológica Donaña Raptor Research Foundation. Prakash,V., Pain, D. J., Cunningham, A. A., Donald, P. F., Prakash, N., Verma, A., Gargi, R., Sivakumar, S. and Rahamani, A. R. 2003. Catastrophic collapse of Indian white-backed Gyps bengalensis and long-billed Gyps indicus vulture populations. Biol. Conserv. 109: 381–390. Shultz, S., Baral, H. S., Charman, S., Cunningham, A. A. , Das, D., Ghalsasi, G. R., Goudar, M. S., Green, R. E., Jones, A., Nighot, P., Pain, D. J. and Prakash, V. 2004. Diclofenac poisoning is widespread in declining vulture populations across the Indian subcontinent. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B (Suppl.): doi 10.1098/rsbl.2004.0223. Swan, G., Naidoo, V., Cuthbert, R., Green, R. E., Pain, D. J., Swarup, D., Prakash, V., Taggart, M., Bekker, L., Das, D., Diekmann, J., Diekmann, M., Killian, E., Meharg, A., Patra, R. C., Saini, M., Wolter, K. 2006. Removing the Threat of Diclofenac to Critically Endangered Asian Vultures. PLOS Biology 4(3): 1-8. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.0040066

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Date 1 Date 2 Date 3 Date 4 Date 5 Date 6 Date 7

No Tree Type Tree Nest Nest 23-Nov 22-Dec 29-Jan 28-Feb 30-Mar 23-Apr 13-May

Ht Ht position 10 10 11 11 11 11 11

1 Silk Cotton 50 40 Main Trunk 23 22 Active Active Active Active Fledged

2 Silk Cotton 50 45 Branch 23 Active Active Active Active Fledged

3 Silk Cotton 50 47 Main Trunk 23 Active Active Passive Passive Failed

4 Silk Cotton 50 40 Main Trunk 23 Active Active Active Active Fledged

5 Silk Cotton 50 30 Main Trunk 23 Active Active Active Active Active Fledged


7 Silk Cotton 60 60 Branch 23 Active Active Passive Passive Passive Failed




11 Silk Cotton 82 80 Main Trunk 23 Passive Passive Passive Passive Passive Failed




15 Silk Cotton 80 75 Branch 23 Active Passive Passive Passive Passive Failed

16 Pithari 65 60 Main Trunk 23 Active Active Active Active Fledged


18 Silk Cotton 80 65 Main Trunk 23 Active Active Active Active Fledged Fledged


20 Silk Cotton 85 75 Branch 23 Active Active Active Active Fledged

21 Pithari 55 50 Main Trunk 23 Active Active Active Active Fledged


23 Silk Cotton 90 87 Branch 23 Active Active Active Active Active Fledged

24 Pithari 55 40 Branch 23 Active Active Active Active Fledged


26 Pithari 45 40 Main Trunk 23 Active Active Active Active Active Fledged















41 Pithari 60 50 Main Trunk Active Active Active Fledged

42 Silk Cotton 65 60 Branch Active Active Active Fledged

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) Survey

in The Eatern Part of Nepal and Adjoining Border Markets of

India Eastern Part of NepalAnd Adjoining Border Markets

of India

Report to

Department of National Parks and Wildlife ConservationThe Peregrine Fund USA

Van Tienhoven Foundation, The Netherlands

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NSAIDs are very widely used in the control of post-operative pain, arthritis, joint pain, and inflammatory oedema; also as an anti-inflammatory agents where pain may not be an issue and steroids are best avoided. They may be administered orally or by injection according to type and formulation. There are restrictions on the use of most NSAIDs in horses (Blacks's veterinary Dictionary). NSAIDs have certain side effects in common as gastrointestinal disturbances, renal disturbances and skin reactions such as rashes, urticaria and photosensitivity (Roy, 2004).

AbstractNSAIDs is an acronym for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and are among the most widely used of all therapeutic agents and have certain side effects in common as gastrointestinal disturbances, renal disturbances and skin reactions such as rashes, urticaria and photosensitivity. Diclofenac is the NSAID that had led to the largest flying raptors, vulture to the verge of extinction. The vulture numbers are picking up nationwide, since the ban on diclofenac in veterinary practice. The study was conducted in major markets of Saptari, Sunsari and Morang districts of Nepal and adjoining border markets of India to find out the status of NSAIDs in veterinary practice through questionnaire method to veterinary shopkeepers. There were several other NSAIDs except meloxicam including diclofenac, nimesulide, nimesulide with paracetamol, mefenamic acid with paracetamol, acelofenac with paracetamol, paracetamol. Dicycomine Hydrochloric acid, an antispasmodic was also used as painkiller. Drug formulation were available in injection and bolus form. About 90% of the respondents said that diclofenac was still in veterinary practice. Diclofenac was readily available in Indian markets produced by different pharmaceuticals and one Nepali pharmaceutical and used freely by the veterinary practioners of Nepal and India. Although every veterinary shopkeepers in Indian border aware about the residual effect of diclofenac, 80% of them kept the diclofenac vial in 30ml. One of Nepali veterinary shopkeeper was also accused of keeping diclofenac vial. Easy availability and cheap price is the loop hole in phasing out diclofenac in veterinary practice. If immediate action is not taken against these harmful NSAIDs then vultures will extinct soon in near future.

Key words: NSAIDs, Vulture, Meloxicam, Diclofenac, Nimesulide.

1. INTRODUCTION

NSAIDs is an acronym for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and are among the most widely used of all therapeutic agents. Most of the NSAIDs have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effect. In general, all of these effects are related to the primary action of the drugs-inhibition of arachidonate cyclo-oxygenase and thus inhibition of the production of prostaglandins and thromboxanes(Roy, 2004).

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Table: Classification of NSAIDs

Drug Action

Analgesic Antipyretic Anti-inflammatory

Salicylic acidsAsprin + + + Diflunisal + + +Benorylate + + ++

Propionic acids Naproxen + + ++Ibupropen + + +Flurbiprofen + + +Fenbufen + + -Ketoprofen + + +

Acetic Acids Indomethacin + + +++Sulindac + + +

FenamatesMeclofenamic acid + + ±Mefenamic acid + + +

OxicamsPiroxicam + + ++Tenoxicam + ++PyrazolonesPhenylbutazone ± + ++Azapropazone + + +

Paracetamol + + +Tolmetin + + +Nabumetone + + ++

(Source: Roy, 2004)

2. LITERATURE REVIEW

Within Nepal, India and Pakistan vulture populations have undergone dramatic declines in numbers since the mid 1990’s, with declines in excess of 97% for three resident species (WRV, SBV and LBV now confined in India). In India, numbers of WRV have declined by 99.9% from 1992 to 2007 (Prakash et al.2007). Monitoring of vultures in Nepal indicates declines of a similar magnitude with a > 90% decrease in numbers up to 2001 (Baral et al. 2004). As a consequence, the three Gyps vulture species (Gyps bengalensis, Gyps indicus and Gyps tenuirostris) were listed by the IUCN in 2000 as critically Endangered and additionally two species, Sarcogyps calvus as Critically Endangered and Neophron percnopterus as Endangered (IUCN 20011).

Extensive research undertaken within India, Pakistan and Nepal has established that the non-steroidal anti inflammatory drug (NSAID) Diclofenac is the main and perhaps the only, cause of the population declines (Green et al. 2004; Oaks et al 2004; Shultz et. al.2004). Vultures are exposed to Diclofenac when they feed from carcasses of livestock that have died

within a few days of treatment and contain toxic residues of the drug (Oaks et al. 2004). Diclofenac is used for a variety of painful and inflammatory conditions in both veterinary and human medicine. Vultures that consume sufficient tissue from treated carcasses die from the effects of Diclofenac induced kidney failure, with clinical signs of visceral gout prevalent in all birds (Oaks et al.2004; Swan et al. 2006).

While Diclofenac is the main cause of vulture population decline, the other cause to some extent may be habitat loss, scarcity of food, disease, pesticides, environmental contamination, poisoning, calcium deficiency, nest predators, hunting, and aircraft strikes (Prakash 1999; Wells 1999).

Following the recommendations and extensive advocacy programme, the Government of Nepal, Department of Drug Administration (DDA) announced a ban on the manufacture and import of Diclofenac in Nepal in June 2006. In the same announcement, the DDA also circulated information to all the country’s pharmaceutical manufacturers to produce safe alternative drug Meloxicam. Studies have identified the NSAID Meloxicam as proven alternative (Cuthbert et al. 2006).

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4. OBJECTIVES

4.1. General objectives- To assess the status of NSAIDs in eastern part of Nepal

and adjoining border markets in India.

4.2. Specific objectives- To know the different NSAIDs practiced in veterinary.- To know the prevalence of diclofenac use in veterinary

practice.- To know the marketing system of NSAIDs.- To know the about the veterinary practice in the eastern

part of Nepal and adjoining border in India.- To know the awareness about the diclofenac use in the

veterinary practice.

5. MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was conducted in the major markets of Saptari, Sunsari, Morang and adjoining border markets (Fulkaha, Ghurna, Birpur, Vimpur, Kunauli) of India. Questionnaires were prepared and asked to the veterinary shopkeepers. The detailed information on NSAID available in the shop, their price, average sell per month and marketing system was collected. Respondents were also asked their attitude towards the current status of diclofenac use in veterinary practice and also asked about the awareness of diclofenac use in veterinary practice. The data collected was interpreted with MS Excel.

A number of researches has shown that Meloxicam is safe for vulture (Swarup et al. 2007; Swan et al 2006 b).

Experts say that the ban has been so effective in Nepal that in places like the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserves in the east – where not a single nest was found during a 2001 survey – there was a re-emergence of 32 White-rumped Vulture nests in 2009. In Nawalparasi, locals have witnessed an increase in number of vultures and in the number of nests. There were only 17 nests in 2006 when the vulture restaurant was opened but the number has gone up to 32 nests in three years, as the ban on diclofenac helped to reduce the mortality rates of vultures (Aryal, 2010). Currently, there are 42 vulture nests in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (Himalayan Nature unpublished source, 2011).

Dr Asad Rahmani Director BNHS said, "Complete removal of diclofenac from vulture food is the single most important action needed to save vultures. Human formulations are still being sold by some irresponsible companies in large veterinary-sized vials (30 ml) and these bigger bottles must also be outlawed to make illegal diclofenac use on cattle more difficult and expensive" (2011). Sasikumar, who is part of a team conducting a survey to check the prevalence of NSAIDs among livestock in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala, said the diclofenac was still freely available packaged in 30 ml vials (PTI, 2011).

Exposure to several NSAIDs registered for veterinary use, particularly carprofen, ketoprofen, phenylbutazone, flunixin, ibuprofen and nimesulide, may be of concern for the survival of Gyps vulture (Chemical and Industry, 2008). The only NSAID that has been demonstrated to be of low toxicity to Gyps vultures is meloxicam (Swan et al., 2006). Recommending other NSAIDs without rigorous testing may lead to increased use of drugs that could have a damaging impact on the remaining small populations of Critically Endangered Gyps vultures within SouthAsia and on other scavenging birds for which the impact of NSAIDs is still uncertain(Cuthbert et al.,

2006).

3. RATIONALE OF STUDY

Crash in vulture population is caused by contamination with a lethal level of diclofenac in a small proportion (between 1:130 and 1:760) of ungulate carcasses available to vultures (Green et al., 2004). The government of Nepal, India and Pakistan banned the veterinary use of the painkiller diclofenac in 2006, when it was noticed that vultures died after they fed on the carcasses of cattle that had been treated with diclofenac shortly before their death. Decline in vulture population can cause both increases in putrefying carcasses and changes in the scavenger populations also have associated disease risks for wildlife, livestock, and humans, including the spread of rabies and livestock borne disease like anthrax , tuberculosis, and brucellosis (Prakash et al. 2003; Anderson et al. 2005). Thus, my research findings will help to find out the hazardous NSAIDs available in veterinary practice and help the concerned bodies to take necessary step for vulture conservation that will make safer world for human and animals.

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6. RESULTS

Table 2: NSAIDs used in veterinary practice

Formulation Preparation Price(Rs.) No. of Shops

Meloxicam Vial-10ml 40.00 4 2*

Vial-30ml 72.00 30 8*

Vial-100ml 120.00 28 5*

Bolus 8.00/bolus 16

Meloxicam+Paracetamol Vial-30ml 90.00 18 7*

Vial-100ml 140.00 10 4*

Bolus 12.00/bolus 10 2*

Dicyclomine HCl** Vial-30ml 60.00 2

(Ridalpin®)

Nimesulide Vial-15ml 74.00 4

Vial-50ml 225.00 2

Nimesulide+Paracetamol Vial-10ml 150.00 2

Vial-30ml 250.00 6

Bolus 12/bolus 22 8*

Diclofenac Vial-30ml 35 1 12*

Diclofenac+Paracetamol Bolus 8*

(Oxalgin®)

Paracetamol Vial-30ml 30 2

Bolus 10/bolus 2

Mefenamic acid+Paracetamol Vial-30ml 48.00 2 2*

Acelofenac+Paracetamol Bolus 8*

*=No. of veterinary shops in India**= Is an antispasmodic drug

Total no. of veterinary shops surved in Nepal was 50 and in adjoingin Indian border market was 15.

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Table 3: Company Producing Diclofenac Sodium Vial in 30ml.

Trade Name Manufactured by Mfg. Date Exp.Date Print Selling Price (IC) Price (IC)

Vovozen Inj. Nitin Lifescience Ltd. 09/2010 08/2012 42.00

10.00

Rampur Road, Paonta Sahib

Distt: Simour (H.P)-173025

India

ALEMBIC LIMITED*

Alembic Road, Vadodara 390 003

Diclolab LABORATE 09/2010 08/2012 42.50 10.00

PAHARMACEUTICALS INDIA LTD.

51, Indi. Area, Paonta Shaib,(H.P)

India

R-Diclo Inj. RATHI LABORATORIES 08/2010 07/2012 26.00 10.00

(HINDUSTAN) PVT. LTD.

Industrial Area, Patna-800 013

India

Diclofenac HINDUSTAN 12/2010 11/2012 26.00 10.00

Sodium Inj. PHARMACEUTICALS

BARAUNI-851 112

India

NINJA National Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. 07/2010 06/2012 36.00 ** 35.00**

Chhatapipra, Birganj

Nepal

IC= Indian Currency**=Nepali Currency

Other pharmaceuticals producing diclofenac vial 30ml were Ashley Pharmaceutical and Amba Research Laboratories, Patna.

Fig 1: Diclofenac Vials used in veterinary practice.

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Fig 2: Prevalence of major NSAIDs in the eastern part of Nepal and adjoining border markets of India

The conservation effort towards vulture is working and their number is slowly picking up nationwide. But, there are several hazardous NSAIDs still prevalent in veterinary practice and if the situation persists, then the future generation would see these lords of sky only in books. Immediate action must be taken by the government of Nepal and India to remove the harmful NSAIDs from environment and make the food chain of vulture free of harmful NSAID and save the environment and earth for future generation.

9. RECOMMENDATION

- Illegal production of diclofenac must be immediately stopped especially in India.

- Awareness campaign must be done about the harmful NSAIDs.

- Research must be done on the residual NSAIDs present in carcasses of livestocks to know the actual status of NSAIDs used in veterinary practice.

- Malpractice in veterinary must be prohibited especially use of human diclofenac for the veterinary purpose.

- Better market monitoring and strict enforcement of prevailing law, closer coordination with Department of Drug Administration.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The study was sponsored through The Peregrine Fund and Van Tienhoven Foundation as part of Himalayan Nature's Vulture Conservation Programme.

References

Anderson, M.D., Piper, S.E. and Swan, G.E. 2005. Non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drug use in South Africa and possible effects on vultures. South African Journal of Science 101:112-114. Baral, H.S. and Inskipp. C. 2004. The state of Nepal’s Bird 2004. Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Bird Conservation Nepal and IUCN Nepal. Kathmandu.Boden, E. 2007. Blacks Veterinary Dictionary. 21st Edition. Jaypee Brothers Medical Publisher(P) Ltd.Cuthbert, R., R.E. Green., S. Ranade., S.S. Saravanan., D.J. Pain., A.A. Cunningham and V. Prakash 2006. Rapid population diclines of Egyptian Vulture Neophron prercnopterus and Red-

7. DISCUSSION

Despite the fact only meloxicam is safer alternative to diclofenac and further rigorous research need to be done for finding other alternative NSAIDs (Cuthbert et al., 2006), there were several other NSAIDs used in veterinary practice. The NSAIDs used in study area were nimesulide, nimesulide with paracetamol, mefenamic acid with paracetamol, acelofenac with paracetamol, paracetamol and dicyclomine HCl(an antispasmodic). Meloxicam preparation was found in every veterinary shop. Other NSAIDs rather than meloxicam is used in veterinary practice may be due to lack of awareness, lack of surveillance done by the government of Nepal and India and concerned organization working in the related field.

Although there is ban on the use of diclofenac in veterinary practice and its bulk production by government of Nepal and India in 2006, diclofenac is freely available in the Indian market in vial of 30ml and is produced by different pharmaceuticals and is used by veterinary practioners of Nepal and India. About 90% of the respondents said the diclofenac was used in veterinary practice. This shows that use of diclofenac in veterinary practice still prevails and this is due to its cheap price and availability. Additionally, human practitioners also practice in veterinary and this may be also one of the loop hole in phasing out the diclofenac in veterinary practice.

Diclofenac is mainly used by quack practitioners whose only concern is economic profit and lack of awareness among farmers. Farmers in the study area mainly kept the local breeds of cattle and buffalo, so they don't want to spend much in the veterinary treatment. Farmers pay them according to the number of injections given by quack practitioners and this may be one of the tragedy with the practitioners.

Nepali practitioners even don't need to go to Indian markets to buy these vials, these vials are reached to them by the medicine traders of the border area to them in cheap price. The mixed practice of keeping veterinary medicine and human medicine in one shop in Indian border markets may be also one of the reasons of gap in phasing out the diclofenac in veterinary practice. In Nepal very few shopkeepers were found keeping both veterinary medicine and human medicine.

8. CONCLUSION

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headed vulture Sarcogyps calvus in India. Anim. Conserv. 9. pp. 349-354. Green, R.E., Newton. J., Shultz. S., Cunningham, A. A., Gilbert, M., Pain, D.J., and Prakash, V. (2004). Diclofenac poisoning as a cause of Vulture population declines across the Indian Subcontinent. J. Appl. Ecol. 41:793-800.IUCN (2007). http://www.iucn.org.Oaks, J.L., Gilbert, M., Virani, M.Z., Waston R.T., Meteyer, C.V., Rideout, B.A., Shiva Prasad, H.L., Ahmed, S., Chaudhry, M.J.I., Ashrad, M., Mahmood, S., Ali, A. and khan, A.A. (2004). Diclofenac residue as the cause of vulture population decline in Pakistan. Nature 427:(12), 630-633.Prakash, V. 1999. Indian scavenger vulture (Nephron percnopterus ginginianus) feeding on dead White-backed Vulture ( Gyps bengalensis). Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, 85: 614-615.Prakash, V., Pain, D.J., Cunningaham , A.A., Donald, P.F., Prakash, N., Verma, A., Gargi, R., Sivakumar, S. and Rahmani, A.R. (2003). Catastrophic collapse of Indian white backed Gyps bengalensis and long-billed Gyps indicus vulture population. Biological Conservation 109(3): 381-390. Praksh, V., Green R.E., Pain D.J., Ranade, S.P., Saravanan S., Praksh., N, Venkitachalam., R., Cuthbert R., Rahmani A.R.,

Cunningham A.A. (2007). Recent changes in Populations of resident Gyps vultures in India. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 140: 129-135.Roy, B.K. 2004. Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology. Kalyani Publishers, New Delhi, India. pp 148-161.Shultz, S., Baral., H.S., Charman., S., Cunningham, A.A., Das, D., Ghalsasi, D.R., Goudar, M.S., and Prakash, V. (2004). Diclofenac poisoning is widespread in declining vulture populations across the Indian subcontinent. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B (Supplement), 271: 5458-5460.Swan, G.E., Cuthbert, R., Quevedo, M., Green, R.E., Pain, D.J., Bartels, P., Cunningham, A.A., Duncan, M., Meharg., A.A., Oaks, J.L., Parry-Jones., J., Shultz, S., Taggart, M.A., Verdoorn, G., and Wolter, K (2006). Toxicity of Diclofenac to Gyps vultures. Biol. Lett: D01: 10/1098/rsbl/. 2005.0425.Swan, G.E., V. Naidoo., R. Cuthbert., R.E. Green., D.J. Pain., D. Swarup., V. Prakash., M. Taggart., L. Bekker., D. Das., J. Diekmann., M. Diekmann., E. Killian., A.Meharg., R.C. Patra., M. Saini and K. Wolter. 2006. Removing the threat of diclofenac to critically endangered Asian Vultures, PLoS Biol. 4 (2006), pp. 1–8.

A report on Vulture Conservation Awareness

Programs in Koshi Area

Report to

Department of National Parks and Wildlife ConservationVan Tienhoven Foundation, The Netherlands

The Peregrine Fund USAParahawking: Share the Sky

Ch

ap

ter

3

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Objectives

The major objective of this project was to conduct education and awareness programs through small workshops on Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) among the local communities, veterinary practitioners and relevant stakeholders

Rationale

Veterinary drug Diclofenac, which was confirmed to have its role in massive vulture deaths, has been banned in Nepal since July 2006. Meloxicam was introduced in the market as a safer alternative. ‘Vulture restaurants’ are being operated in six different places of the country to provide drug free carcasses to the declining vultures. A captive breeding centre has been established at Chitwan National Park to ensure that some stock in captivity is left if the birds in the wild go extinct in the foreseeable future. Despite all these conservation efforts, number of vultures continue to decline, pushing these lords of the sky to the brink of extinction.

Vultures, which are credited as environment cleaning servants, survive on the carcasses of dead animals as they do not hunt living prey. There is lack of adequate awareness programs targeted to local community members and vet practitioners. In any conservation program, participation from local level inevitably leads to a heightened awareness of species, environment and conservation issues.

Sharing knowledge on vulture status is one of the best ways to spread awareness about their meaningful conservation. When local people join this program, the voices for conservation will grow more and conservation issues will be recognized and

acted upon by community level. The project aimed to raise awareness level in local people so as to update them with the status and conservation initiative of critically endangered vultures at Koshi Area and in the entire country.

Methods

Kosi Bird Observatory established by Himalayan Nature early this year had been instrumental in running various community led walks and awareness programs on vulture conservation. In addition to this, a week long program was conducted in and around Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve and its adjacent areas including Dharan IBA Forest by a team of Himalayan Nature.

The project activities were chiefly targeted towards the objectives set in the Vulture Conservation Action Plan focused on conservation of the species and surrounding ecosystems at the national level and global scale. To make our work more well-organized and effective, we divided our awareness campaign for academic groups and for the community forest users' groups, government authorities, veterinary practitioners and other relevant stakeholders including local community based organisations. Secondly, we organised two workshops and training package to youth people in collaboration with Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation.

A. Education and awareness

Community members The project encompassed an effective participatory approach to work with local communities for the protection of vultures by informing and involving them on harmful effects of

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Introduction

Vultures are the largest flying raptors in Nepal. Vultures along with hawks, kite, baza, buzzard, eagle, harrier, and osprey represent the avian family Accipitridae. These birds of prey are a major component of order Ciconiformes. Out of the nine species of vultures are found in South Asia, eight species are reported in Nepal. Three species, White-rumped Vulture, Gyps bengalensis, Slender-billed Vulture Gyps tenuirostris and Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus were formerly distributed in many parts of Nepal are now listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN RED List (BirdLife International 2011). The White-rumped Vulture was once described as the most common species of vulture found in Indian Sub-continent (Oaks et al. 2004, BirdLife International 2000). Once the vulture retained strongholds in India and Pakistan however it disappeared from most of Southeast Asia in the early 20th Century. Once both commonest and resident before 1990’s in Nepal, the Gyps vultures have been declining alarmingly. It was also reported that besides these two vultures, the remaining other six species of vultures are also declining gradually in Nepal. Vulture studides conducted in various parts of Nepal have shown that they continue to decline at an alarming rate. This decline is along the same magnitude as those observed in Pakistan (Baral et al. 2003). Oaks et al. (2004) concluded that residues of veterinary drug ‘Diclofenac’ are responsible for the declination of White-rumped Vulture in the Indian Sub-continent. Various factors, including poisoning and the use of pesticides, reduction in food availability and nesting habitat, abnormally high rates of nesting failure, adult/ juvenile/nestling mortality, diseases, nest predators, hunting, environmental contamination, calcium deficiency, aircraft strikes, and electric lines shock have been reported as other possible causes for high Gyps vulture mortality and subsequent population decline.

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diclofenac and vultures' role in preventing the outbreak of epidemic diseases such as plague, asthma, rabies etc and thus the need to maintain clean environment for all. We disseminated knowledge through audio-visual media and community meetings on the effects of harmful NSAIDs such as diclofenac to raise awareness amongst the local communities.

Communities from several community forest users' groups in the east boundary of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve were given knowledge and training about their roles in the long term conservation of vulture population in the area. Interaction program was held to discuss and find out some best possible ways at the local level to safeguard the remaining vulture population and possibility of increasing their population. The outcome of this novel approach were linked to valuing religious sentiments (the heroic role of Jatayu mentioned in Ramayana), promotion of tourism and resulting economic incentives to local community.

Academic groupsStudents most often play an important role in conveying information and in bringing changes in the perception of their parents and neighbour towards conservation of natural resources. We conducted awareness campaigns in four higher secondary schools highlighting the ecological, cultural and religious importance of vultures. We also discussed how vulture population had crashed in Nepal and in the entire Indian subcontinent caused by the use of diclofenac in livestock treatment and promoted the meloxicam as the safe alternative drug to treat sick cattles.

We used educational kits such as the colour charts, pamphlets, images, posters and banners with conservation messages to convey our message to the students. The programs were facilitated by the respective teachers from these schools.

Publication 2000 copies of poster on vulture conservation were prepared in Nepali language which delivered vulture conservation message in a pleasant and simple language. These posters were distributed widely to all the vulture range area of Nepal, with over 500 posters alone in Koshi area.

Other area where posters have been distributed include Chitwan National Park, Bardia National Park, Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park, Annapurna C o n s e r v a t i o n Area, Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve, Kailali District, D a n d e l d h u r a District, Lumbini etc.

Fig 1. Activities at Shree Basant Ritu H. Sec. S

Fig 2. Activities at Shree Mohan H. Sec. S

Fig 3. Awareness students at Janata H Sec. School

Fig 4. Education at Prakash H. Sec. School

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Some glimpses of programs

Fig.6 Dr Bibekananda Jha speaking during the workshop

Fig 5 Dr Yogendra Yadav, RD of DLSO in the workshop

Fig. 7 Discussion with local stockholders

B. Training and capacity building

Two interaction workshops were conducted with collaboration of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve inviting government authorities, District Livestock Service Office (DLSO), Community Forest User's Groups, vets/paravets and group of environmental journalists. Workshops were followed by knowledge sharing and solutions for the conservation and promotion of vultures in Nepal.

The most important and encouraging part of the workshop was the initiation from the Regional Director Dr Yogendra Yadav, DLSO in eliminating the veterinary and human usage of diclofenac and in setting the area as diclofenac free. He pointed out that to stop the illicit use of human diclofenac remained the main challenge in halting the decline of threatened vultures. He assured to promote meloxicam and other NSAIDs which do not harm vultures and other wildlife. Mr Ashok Ram, Warden of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve opined to conserve large trees especially Simal to maintain the safe roost site for the vultures. He disclosed his plan to open up a Vulture Feeding Site to secure safe food for the globally significant colony of white- rumped vultures. The plan was highly appreciated by all the participants as it helps to continue Vulture Conservation Project on long term basis and vulture population not only stabilizes but also multiplies in the nearby area. In addition, vulture restaurants can help to build local capacity who can become the local guardian of vultures in future. Training was given to interested youth group on monitoring the nest site with species identification.

In an average, more than 800 people actively participated in the week long programs.Though KTWR was our main government partner, we also worked very closely with following organisations: District Development and Village Development Committees, Nepalese Ornithological Union, Kosi Bird Observatory, Koshi Development and Education Foundation (KODEF),Union for Culture, Human and Environment Protection, Local Youth Clubs, Koshi Camp, Conservation and Sustainable Use of Wetlands in Nepal (CSUWN) / Government of Nepal.

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Conclusion

The decline of the vulture in short span of a decade is indeed very alarming and hence if these birds can be saved in the wild it will be a long lasting contribution in nature conservation. The disappearance of vultures from Asia's skies is not just a conservation concern but also impacting negatively on humans. Understanding the needs and requirements of different species can lead us to have more compassionate tolerance for different peoples and cultures. Provision of regular monitoring of nesting/roosting sites of vultures, provision of diclofenac free carcasses, and promoting meloxicam, as an alternative to diclofenac were some of the important discussion held during the workshops. The training was successful in buiding local capacity in vulture conservation. Explaining and illustrating the vulture safe zone of Nepal so as to motivate the stakeholders in making diclofenac free zone in the area.

The environmental damage already inflicted is at an alarming state due to on-going population explosion, rapid movement towards urbanization and industrialization, increasing needs of energy. Fast scientific and technological advancement cannot be reversed unless there is collective thinking, will and efforts. These call for public awareness and participation for bringing about an attitudinal change and finally restricting further damage to threatened biodiversity. Himalayan Nature run conservation education programmes primarily focused on generating awareness amongst the local communities and influencing stakeholders and policy makers.

People's active participation and their dedication had led to the success of the event. Halting and reversing the vulture declines is one of the most urgent conservation priorities worldwide. Resolution of this problem requires considerable commitment by governments and the pharmaceutical industries. Works on the ban over the counter sales of diclofenac in Koshi area is yet to start, but the initiatives has already begin, an incentive towards vulture conservation.

Following were the main participants involved in Himalayan Nature Vulture Education and Awareness program.

List of schools and community Forest Users' group- Shree Basanta Ritu Secondary School, Dikjhora- Shree Prakash Higher Seconary School, Sunsari- Shree Mohan Secondary School, Madhuban- Janata Higher Secondary School,- Sapta Koshi Community Forest Users' Group - Shree Shanti Nagari Community Forest Users' Group- Madhuban Community Forest Users' Group- Human Development, Environment and Protection, HUDP

List of participants during interaction and workshop 1 Mr Asok Ram, Warden, KTWR2 Mr Bhakta Katuwal, KTWR3 Mr Arbinda Yadav, KTWR4 Dr Yogendra Prasad Yadav, Regional Director, District

Livestock Service Office, Sunsari5 Dr Bibekaninda Jha, CSUWN 6 Shree Jagat Bajgai, Principal of Shree Basanta Ritu Secondary

School7 Bimala Uraw, Social Mobiliser, HUDP8 Mr Rohit Kumar Ghimire, Principal of Shree Prakash Higher

Seconary School. 9 Mr Dev Nand Acharya, Administrator of Shree Prakash

Higher Seconary School10 Mr Nirudin Ansari, Vice principal of Shree Prakash Higher

Seconary School11 Mr Samar Bahadur Sewak, Shree Prakash Higher Seconary

School12 Mr Ram narayan Chaudhary, Principal of Shree Mohan

Secondary School13 Mr Bishnu Sigdel, Ex- proincipal of Shree Mohan Secondary

School14 Jaya Prakash Gupta, Shree Mohan Secondary School15 Mr Om Dahal, Shree Mohan Secondary School16 Mr Sanjay Prasad Shah, Shree Mohan Secondary School17 Mr Uddav Lamsal, Shree Mohan Secondary School18 Mr Dev Prakash Khatiwoda, Shree Mohan Secondary School19 Mrs Januka Kafle, Shree Mohan Secondary School20 Mrs. Goma Nepal, Shree Mohan Secondary School21 Mr Maheshwor Yadav, Principal of Janata Secondary School22 Dil Raj Timsina, Sapta Koshi Community Forest Users' Group23 Chakra Prasad Timsina, Sapta Koshi Community Forest

Users' Group24 Som Nath Bhandari Sapta Koshi Community Forest Users'

Group 25 Mr Bijaya Sharma, Principal of Janata Secondary School26 Arun Kumar Thakur, Principal of Janata Secondary School27 Mr Prakash Narayan Choudhary, Principal of Janata

Secondary School28 Mahin Narayan Chaudhary, President Livestock

Development Officer29 Mr Pankaj Mahato, Madhuban Forest Users' Group

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge Van Tienhoven Foundation, The Peregrine Fund and Parahawking: Share the Sky for supporting this project. Our special thanks to Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation for their full fledged cooperation and permission to carry out Vulture Conservation Program in Koshi area. We also thank Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, District Livestock Service Office, District Development and Village Development Committees, Nepalese Ornithological Union, Kosi Bird Observatory, Koshi Development and Education Foundation, Union for Culture, Human and Environment Protection, Local Youth Clubs, Koshi Camp, Conservation and Sustainable Use of Wetlands in Nepal and all the participants for their kind cooperation and contribution in our awareness campaign. Sanjib Acharya of Himalayan Nature kindly coordinated Koshi Education Program. Local people of the study area deserve sincere appreciation for their help and cooperation.

Resource MaterialsDocumentary on CDs and DVDs on vulture decline in Nepal and IndiaVulture Posters produced by various organisations including one from Himalayan NaturePamphlets on vulture awarenessScientific literature for the trainers

PO Box 10918Lazimpat, Kathmandu, Nepal

Photos: Dennis Stephenson, Kushal Bista, Sanjib Acharya,

Badri Chaudhary, Hem Sagar Baral, Prativa Kaspal, Prava Pandey

vulture conservation program vulture conservation program

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