Reducing Vulture Exposure to Diclofenac in India
Author Information
Author(s): Cuthbert Richard, Taggart Mark A., Prakash Vibhu, Saini Mohini, Swarup Devendra, Upreti Suchitra, Mateo Rafael, Chakraborty Soumya Sunder, Deori Parag, Green Rhys E.
Primary Institution: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Hypothesis
Did the ban on veterinary use of diclofenac reduce its prevalence in vulture food sources?
Conclusion
The prevalence and concentration of diclofenac in vulture food sources have significantly decreased since the ban, but further efforts are needed to eliminate it completely.
Supporting Evidence
- Diclofenac prevalence in carcasses decreased from 10.8% before the ban to 6.5% after.
- The mean concentration of diclofenac in liver samples also fell significantly after the ban.
- Vulture population decline rate decreased to about 18% per year after the ban.
- Continued presence of diclofenac in carcasses indicates illegal veterinary use persists.
- Further efforts are needed to completely eliminate diclofenac from vulture food sources.
Takeaway
Vultures in India were getting sick from a medicine called diclofenac that was used on cows. After the government stopped using it, there was less of it in the food for vultures, but we still need to make sure it's gone completely.
Methodology
Data from three surveys of diclofenac concentrations in liver samples from ungulate carcasses were analyzed before and after the ban on veterinary use.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to differences in geographical distribution of sampling sites across surveys.
Limitations
The geographical distribution of sampling sites varied among surveys, which could introduce bias.
Participant Demographics
Samples were collected from carcasses of domesticated ungulates in northern India.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.021
Confidence Interval
95% C.L.
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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