The long history of kite flying contests in India and the use of vultures in muti, traditional medicine, in Africa are having an impact of these endangered species. Efforts are underway to reduce losses of vultures from traditional practices through rescue, rehabilitation and public education.
Unintentional pesticide and diclofenac poisoning has resulted in the deaths of many vultures, pushing some species to the edge of extinction. Pesticide and diclofenac use, which also impact these highly endangered birds, is being reduced, and in some places, banned.
Preventing Diclofenac Poisoning in Africa and India
After noticing a precipitous decline in Indian vulture populations, the reason was discovered in 2004. The vultures were dying after scavenging carcasses of cattle that had been treated with diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti–inflammatory. In 2006 India banned the production and sale of diclofenac, an important step in halting the extinction of slender–billed (Gyps tenuirostris), Indian (Gyps indicus) and white–rumped (Gyps bengalensis) vultures. Each of the three species had declined by as much as 97% in 15 years.
Captive breeding centres have been established for the three species, a critical step for the long term success of the Indian Vulture Recovery Plan. Diclofenac will persist in the environment for some time so vultures remaining in the wild will continue to be at risk of poisoning.
In Africa, diclofenac is still in use, putting both the endangered Cape griffon vulture (Gyps coprotheres) and the African white-backed (Pseudogyps africanus) vultures at risk. The University of Pretoria has begun developing a monitoring network to prevent losses from this drug.
Pesticide Exposure Still a Risk for Indian and African Vultures
Organochlorine pesticides continue to be a problem throughout Africa and Asia. A study of white–backed vultures in India showed that these endangered birds are still exposed to several types of pesticides. Similar work on vultures in South Africa found 14 types of chlorinated hydrocarbon pollutants in Africa white-backed and Cape griffon vultures.
Protecting Indian Vultures From Kite Festival Injuries and Death
Each year in Gujarat the annual International Kite Festival is held. Unfortunately, this colorful religious festival has a negative side. Each year up to 65% of the local vulture population are injured when they become entangled in kite lines. Because the kite lines are coated in powdered glass, 90% of the survivors are too badly injured to ever fly again.
Since 2006, the Zoological Society of London has helped train local vets to treat these birds, resulting in fewer deaths. The injured, non-releasable vultures are now being sent to the captive breeding facilities so that their offspring can help to restore India’s endangered vulture populations.
African Vultures and Traditional Medicine
With the 2010 World Cup Football matches coming to Africa, much concern has been expressed that the use of muti, or traditional medicine, will increase as gamblers try to learn who will win. In this case, vulture brains are the muti. The brains are smoked in the belief that the vultures’ acute vision will be passed to the smoker, giving them foresight.
In West Africa, Afrique Nature International has established the Duga-West African Vulture Conservation Program, which is working to provide public education on vultures, which have many other roles in traditional African culture. The organization is also working to establish a captive breeding program to mitigate losses.
Concerted effort to reduce the threats to the vultures of India and Asia are beginning to have a positive impact. Diclofenac and pesticides are being banned and mitigation of losses from traditional practices are being implemented. Recognition of the role the vulture plays in other aspects of Asian and African life will help stop the decline of these endangered birds.
Dawn M. Smith - A vet nurse, Dawn has worked in wildlife rehabilitation and conservation around the world in addition to her veterinary hospital ...
Join the Conversation