The continued threat of toxic NSAIDs to critically endangered Gyps vultures in South Asia

Mallord, J. W. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3849-1541, Ranade, S., Bhusal, K. P., Alam, A. B. M. S., Chaudhry, M. J. I., Chakraborty, S. S., Subbaiah, B., Bohra, D. L., Dube, A., Shringarpure, R., Chaudhary, I. P., Joshi, A. B., Rana, D. B., Thakuri, D. C., Dangaura, H. L., Azmiri, K. Z., Ahmed, S., Zakir, T. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4500-3320, Ahmed, S., Fatima, H., Rahim, A., Murn, C. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4064-6060, Bowden, C. G. R. and Green, R. E. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8690-8914 (2025) The continued threat of toxic NSAIDs to critically endangered Gyps vultures in South Asia. Bird Conservation International, 35. e38. ISSN 1474-0001 doi: 10.1017/s0959270925100270

Abstract/Summary

Rapid population declines of three species of Gyps vultures endemic to Asia were caused by unintentional poisoning by the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) diclofenac. Despite a ban on its veterinary use across South Asia, diclofenac has continued to be supplied for this purpose. Here, we report updated results from undercover pharmacy surveys, conducted between 2012 and 2024, in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan to investigate the availability and prevalence of veterinary NSAIDs. The purpose was to establish whether sales of diclofenac had continued and to determine which other veterinary NSAIDs were available. In India, the availability of diclofenac had declined in all Vulture Safe Zones (VSZs), but it was still readily available (up to 25% of sales) in Rajasthan where intensive conservation advocacy had not occurred. Elsewhere in the region, prevalence of diclofenac was low. The vulture-safe meloxicam continued to be the most commonly available veterinary NSAID throughout most of the region, especially in Nepal (85–100%), but still accounted for only 25–45% of products offered in other countries. In Bangladesh, the vulture-toxic ketoprofen was the most prevalent drug overall, but levels declined to a low level (<1% in 2024), following the nationwide ban on veterinary use of the drug in 2023. Fourteen different NSAIDs were recorded in our surveys, several of which are known or suspected to be toxic to vultures. Of special concern is a rapid increase in the prevalence of flunixin in Bangladesh. Flunixin has not been banned in any of the South Asian vulture range states. Conservation priorities should include awareness campaigns, stronger measures to implement current bans, safety-testing of other NSAIDs, especially flunixin, followed by bans on veterinary use of all NSAIDs found to be toxic to vultures. Prior evidence of safety to vultures should be a requirement for the licensing of all new veterinary NSAIDs.