Vultures across Africa and Asia are facing population crashes from intentional and accidental poisoning, causing a conservation and welfare emergency for some of the world most ecologically vital birds.
Vultures dying from carbofuran or diclofenac poisoning experience extended suffering — kidney failure from diclofenac causes visceral gout, weakness, and slow death over days. Intentional poisoning events killing dozens to hundreds of birds at a single poisoned carcass represent severe welfare impacts at scale. The ecological consequences of vulture loss — disease outbreaks, proliferating rabies vectors — also harm vast numbers of other animals and humans. Banning toxic veterinary diclofenac and prosecuting intentional poisoning are the most direct interventions for both vulture welfare and conservation.