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 veterinary use of diclofenac. meloxicam an acceptable substitute for diclofenac  Another NSAID, meloxicam, has been found to be harmless to vultures and should prove to be an 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 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  Practical only for small animals use

 Ketoprofen  Phenylbutazone  Flunixin meglumin

 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 consumed by people nor by vultures/other animals until certain time has passed.  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 arrangement of the disposal???  Burning Need lot of firewood