Govt. Bans Aceclofenac And Ketoprofen, Drugs Toxic For Vultures

Govt. Bans Aceclofenac And Ketoprofen

The Indian government on 31st July , 2023, implemented a ban on the production and distribution of aceclofenac and ketoprofen, two drugs known to be toxic for vultures. This measure aims to protect the declining population of vultures in India, which have already suffered greatly due to diclofenac, which was banned in 2006.

In this article, we will explore what these drugs are, why they have been banned, the current state of vultures in India, and the conservation efforts being undertaken to safeguard their future.

vultures in India

S. NoCategoryVulture Name
1Critically Endangered
1. Oriental White-backed Vulture
2. Long-billed Vulture
3. Slender-billed Vulture
4. Red-headed Vulture
2EndangeredEgyptian Vulture
3Near Threatened1. Himalayan Vulture
2. Cinereous Vulture
3. Bearded Vulture
4Least ConcernEurasian Griffon

What is Aceclofenac and Ketoprofen

Aceclofenac and Ketoprofen are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) commonly used to alleviate pain and inflammation in various conditions, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Aceclofenac is an oral NSAID with notable anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It is primarily recommended for the treatment of inflammatory and painful processes. On the other hand, Ketoprofen is also an oral NSAID used for pain and inflammation management.

These medications provide relief by targeting the underlying inflammatory processes associated with various conditions.

Impact of Drugs on Specific Vulture Species

Vulture SpeciesDecline Rate due to Usage of diclofenac in cattleTime Period
Long-billed (Gyps indicus)97% decline1992-2007
Slender-billed (G. tenuirostris)97% decline1992-2007
White-rumped (G. bengalensis)Nearly 99% decline1992-2007

Why are they Banned

The ban on aceclofenac and ketoprofen was implemented due to their detrimental effects on vultures, as indicated by research conducted by IVRI and collaborators. A study revealed that aceclofenac is metabolized into diclofenac in water buffaloes, similar to its metabolism in cows. This conversion poses a threat to the critically endangered Gyps vultures found in South Asia.

The researchers administered the recommended dose of aceclofenac to domestic water buffaloes and analyzed blood samples at various time intervals. They found that aceclofenac rapidly converted into diclofenac in the water buffaloes, with diclofenac present in their plasma within 20 minutes of treatment. The concentration peaked between four and eight hours after administration.

These findings highlighted the need for an immediate ban on the veterinary use of aceclofenac across vulture range countries. Further research is being conducted to identify safer alternatives and determine the toxicity of nimesulide as well.

Oriental White backed vulture
Oriental White backed vulture

The Infamous Diclofenac

Diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), was prohibited for veterinary use in India in 2006 due to its harmful impact on vulture populations. This ban was prompted by the discovery that diclofenac, when ingested by vultures through feeding on carcasses of treated animals, caused kidney failure and led to a severe decline in their numbers.

The long-billed and slender-billed vulture species experienced a decline of 97%, while the white-rumped vulture declined nearly 99% between 1992 and 2007. Following India’s ban, Nepal, Pakistan, and Bangladesh also outlawed the manufacture of veterinary diclofenac.

Despite these bans, diclofenac is still being found in cattle carcasses. In an effort to prevent a similar tragedy from occurring in Europe, there have been calls to ban the use of diclofenac in livestock. It is important to note that diclofenac formulated for human use is not banned and remains available. However, larger veterinary-sized vials were banned in India in 2015.

Status of Vultures in India

The conservation status of vultures in India varies, with some species classified as critically endangered, endangered, near threatened, and least concern. Among the nine vulture species found in India, the Oriental White-backed Vulture, Long-billed Vulture, Slender-billed Vulture, and Red-headed Vulture are critically endangered. The Egyptian Vulture is categorized as endangered. The Himalayan Vulture, Cinereous Vulture, and Bearded Vulture are near threatened, while the Eurasian Griffon is classified as least concern.

These classifications highlight the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect these vital species from extinction.

Vultures play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem health by cleaning up waste and preventing the spread of disease. They also help control wildlife diseases. However, factors such as habitat loss, poisoning from contaminated carcasses containing harmful drugs like diclofenac (which has been banned), and electrocution from power lines have contributed to their declining populations.

Efforts are being made to conserve these vultures through captive breeding programs and creating safe feeding sites. It is essential to raise awareness about the importance of vultures in ecosystems and encourage sustainable practices that ensure their survival for future generations.

Conservation Measures

Recently In a major conservation breakthrough, the Himalayan vulture has been bred in captivity for the first time in India, and second such insatnce in whole world. Researchers achieved feat at the Assam State Zoo in Guwahati.

Action Plan for Vulture Conservation 2020-2025

Action Plan for Vulture Conservation 2020-2025

Key InitiativeDetails
Conservation Breeding CentersProposes to establish centers in Uttar Pradesh, Tripura, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu
Conservation Breeding ProgrammesFocus on Red Headed vulture and Egyptian vulture
Vulture Safe ZonesAim to establish at least one “Vulture Safe Zone” in every State
Rescue CentersFour centers in different geographical areas: Pinjore (north India), Bhopal (central India), Guwahati (northeast India) and Hyderabad (south India)
Population SurveysRegular surveys to track population numbers
Drug RecommendationsRecommend meloxicam over diclofenac and suggest Tolfenamic acid as a safe alternative

One of the key strategies outlined in the Action Plan for Vulture Conservation 2020-2025 involves implementing measures to prevent vulture food poisoning through the regulation of veterinary Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) and the establishment of Conservation Breeding Centres.

To achieve this, the plan emphasizes the need to regulate the sale of veterinary NSAIDs, ensuring that these drugs are only distributed on prescription and administered under qualified veterinarians’ supervision. Additionally, safety testing of veterinary NSAIDs is deemed crucial to confirm that these drugs do not harm vultures.

The plan also highlights the importance of establishing more Conservation Breeding Centres across India, as they provide a secure environment for vulture breeding and conservation efforts.

SAVE (Saving Asia’s Vultures from Extinction)

SAVE, a consortium composed of regional and international organizations, aims to coordinate conservation efforts and fundraising activities to prevent the extinction of critically important vulture species in South Asia.

This collaborative effort brings together renowned organizations such as the Bombay Natural History Society, Bird Conservation Nepal, RSPB (UK), National Trust for Nature Conservation (Nepal), International Centre for Birds of Prey (UK), and the Zoological Society of London. By leveraging their expertise and resources, these organizations work towards saving Asia’s vultures from the brink of extinction.

The primary objective of SAVE is to address the plight of South Asia’s vultures through a comprehensive program. These vulture species face significant threats due to factors such as habitat loss, electrocution by power lines, and poisoning from diclofenac-containing drugs used in veterinary practices. To combat this issue, SAVE has been actively involved in campaigns and advocacy efforts to raise awareness about the importance of vultures and promote alternative drugs that are safe for these birds.

Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI)

It is also crucial to highlight the role of the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in this context. Established in 1889 in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, IVRI has emerged as a leading research institution dedicated to livestock research and development within the region.

With its expertise and resources, IVRI plays a pivotal role in investigating the toxic effects of certain drugs on vultures. In line with this objective, the government has recently imposed a ban on the production and distribution of aceclofenac and ketoprofen, both known to be harmful to vultures.

By undertaking rigorous scientific studies and collaborating with relevant stakeholders, IVRI contributes significantly towards conserving these endangered avian species while ensuring sustainable livestock practices in India.

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