KATHMANDU: Even as the vulture population is dwindling at an alarming rate, a recent research revealed that ketoprofen — a new medicine used for livestock treatment — is also toxic to the vultures.

Previously, it was revealed that 99 percent of vultures

died due to the consumption of the carcasses of the animals that were treated using diclofenac.

Talking to The Himalayan Times, one of the key researchers Richard Cuthbert of Birdlife UK, said, “Ketoprofen could already be contributing to further declines of the remaining vulture populations. And, such trend is likely to continue if ketoprofen replaces diclofenac.”

The studies show that of 1,000 White-rumped Vultures found in South Asia in the 1980s, only one remains today because of the lethal effects of diclofenac.

Cuthbert, who is concentrating on the vulture research and advocacy in India and Nepal, further added, “Although the Diclofenac is banned in Asia, a new veterinary medicine found lethal to vultures has indicated that our efforts to conserve this endangered species have to be increased.”

Researchers here in the country are a worried lot as the initial survey on veterinary pharmacies revealed that selling the toxic medicine for the treatment of animals was rampant. The initial survey that was conducted in 24 Tarai districts found that some stores had been selling this medicine.

“Some stores in Inaruwa of Sunsari and Nawalparasi were found selling these medicines when the survey was carried out two months ago,” said Hum Bahadur Gurung, chief executive officer, Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN).

In addition to ketoprofen and diclofenac, other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs sold by veterinary pharmacies for treating livestock include meloxicam, phenylbutazone, analgin, nimesulide, flunixin and ibuprofen. Of these drugs, only three have been tested to determine their effects on vultures.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation (MoFSC) endorsed the Vulture Conservation Action Plan (2009-2013), which was prepared by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) this week. “Vulture are the most endangered species. The recent action plan is one of the indications that we are taking the case very seriously,” said Gopal Prasad Upadhyay, Director General, DNPWC.

There are 23 vulture species around the world, of which nine are found in South Asia. Of those found in Nepal, four species are critically endangered. They are slender-billed vulture, white-rumped vulture, red-headed vulture and Egyptian vulture.

The DNPWC has already initiated the vulture conservation captive breeding in Kasara of Chitwan National Park where 44 white-rumped vultures have been relocated at a newly-constructed breeding aviary.

Besides, BCN has been operating three vulture restaurants — one each in Nawalparasi, Kailali and Lumbini where the vultures are feed on the meat free from Diclofenac.