INDIA PROJECT FOR ANIMALS AND NATURE

The Indian Vulture species have suffered a 99%–97% population decrease in Pakistan and India

The cause of this has been identified as poisoning caused by the veterinary drug

diclofenac Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and when given to

working /dairy animals it can reduce joint pain / other painful conditions, fever and so keep them working for longer.

The drug is ingested by vultures with the flesh of dead cattle which were given diclofenac in the last days of life.

Diclofenac causes kidney failure in several species of Vultures.

In March 2005 the Indian Government announced its support for a ban on the In March 2005 the Indian Government announced its support for a ban on the veterinary use of diclofenac. veterinary use of diclofenac.

Another NSAID, meloxicammeloxicam, has been found to be harmless to vultures and should prove to be an acceptable substitute for diclofenacan acceptable substitute for diclofenac.

When meloxicam production is increased it is hoped that it will be as cheap as diclofenac.

As of August 2011 the ban for veterinary use has been in place for approximately a year but diclofenac is still being used for animals throughout India

1. Ban diclofenac• Use meloxicam instead

2. Proper disposal of carcasses

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, “pain-killer”

EASILY available in India

Registered for veterinary use and widely used in small & large animal practice in western countries

Safe for vultures

For large animal useFor large animal use

Dose for cattle 0.5mg/kg (2.5ml/100kg) • 300kg cow needs 7.5ml• 400kg cow needs 10ml

30ml and 100ml bottles available (injection)

For small animal use

If used for cattle, dose remains the same 0.5mg/kg but the REQUIRED VOLUME is higher because the strength of the drug as (mg/ml) is less

400kg cow needs 40ml 400kg cow needs 40ml Practical only for small animals usePractical only for small animals use

Ketoprofen Phenylbutazone Flunixin meglumin

WITHDRAWAL PERIOD WITHDRAWAL PERIOD

Not allowed to be slaughtered/milk to be consumed during certain number of days after medication

To protect public health

Even when cattle is not slaughtered for human consumption the same logic about the importance of withdrawal periods need to be understood

After medicating animals they are not fit to be After medicating animals they are not fit to be consumed by people nor by vultures/other animals consumed by people nor by vultures/other animals until certain time has passed. until certain time has passed.

This withdrawal time varies between medicines.This withdrawal time varies between medicines.

Animals that die of any disease (death due to anything else than a predator attack) need to be properly disposed (buried deep/burned)

FMD Blackquarter Anthrax

Burying• At least 6 feet deep and treated with lime

• The location should be at least 100 feet from any property boundary or surface water, 200 feet from a private or community water supply, and 400 feet from a municipal water supply.

• The buried material shall be placed at least 4 feet above the seasonal high water table and bedrock.

• The carcasses shall be covered with at least 3 feet of clean fill immediately following placement in the ground.

Role of the local government bodies in the Role of the local government bodies in the arrangement of the disposal???arrangement of the disposal???

Burning• Need lot of firewood