IN�TL VULTURE AWARENESS DAY TODAY

Use of diclofenac responsible for wiping out vultures

Dr Md Haidar Ali, Associate Professor of Pathology Department (Faculty of Veterinary) of Hajee Mohammed Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) of Dinajpur, said yesterday use of diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory drug, in animals is responsible for wiping out majority vultures. Ali, a bio-safety specialist, said the reason for the declining population has only recently been discovered. However, in 2004, it was found in India that the vultures feeding on carcasses of livestock that had been administered diclofenac was the reason for the mystery deaths of vulture, he maintained. Dr Haidar said vultures play an important role not only as scavenger but also as natural cleaner. Vultures are at great risk of being extinct; in Bangladesh the estimated present vulture population is probably less than 500, he added. He made the comment ahead of International Vulture Awareness Day. Vultures, being voracious scavengers, play an important role in the ecological cycle. By feeding on carcasses left in the open, they facilitate their decomposition and prevent outbreak of diseases, making them an indispensable ecological asset.  A single contaminated carcass can cause the death of a whole flock of vultures. Many livestock-borne diseases like anthrax, tuberculosis may rise in the country if the species of vulture become extinct  The White-rumped Vulture was considered fairly common and widely seen in all districts of Bangladesh, especially in the plains and woodlands.

IN�TL VULTURE AWARENESS DAY TODAY

Use of diclofenac responsible for wiping out vultures

Dr Md Haidar Ali, Associate Professor of Pathology Department (Faculty of Veterinary) of Hajee Mohammed Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) of Dinajpur, said yesterday use of diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory drug, in animals is responsible for wiping out majority vultures. Ali, a bio-safety specialist, said the reason for the declining population has only recently been discovered. However, in 2004, it was found in India that the vultures feeding on carcasses of livestock that had been administered diclofenac was the reason for the mystery deaths of vulture, he maintained. Dr Haidar said vultures play an important role not only as scavenger but also as natural cleaner. Vultures are at great risk of being extinct; in Bangladesh the estimated present vulture population is probably less than 500, he added. He made the comment ahead of International Vulture Awareness Day. Vultures, being voracious scavengers, play an important role in the ecological cycle. By feeding on carcasses left in the open, they facilitate their decomposition and prevent outbreak of diseases, making them an indispensable ecological asset. A single contaminated carcass can cause the death of a whole flock of vultures. Many livestock-borne diseases like anthrax, tuberculosis may rise in the country if the species of vulture become extinct The White-rumped Vulture was considered fairly common and widely seen in all districts of Bangladesh, especially in the plains and woodlands.