Wild Vulture Poisoning and Conservation

Vultures are being poisoned at alarming rates across Africa and Asia, with serious consequences for ecosystems and welfare of individual birds experiencing agonising deaths.

Key Facts

Vulture populations have declined by over 90% in South Asia and 80% in parts of Africa in recent decades
The primary causes are diclofenac (veterinary anti-inflammatory) toxicity in South Asia and deliberate poisoning in Africa
Poisoned carcasses intended for lions or hyenas frequently kill dozens of vultures at once
Vultures are slow-reproducing birds that cannot recover quickly from population crashes
All vulture species are now listed as Near Threatened, Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered

Welfare Considerations

Poisoned vultures experience agonising deaths from renal failure (diclofenac) or neurological effects (carbofuran and other pesticides). Mass poisoning events kill tens or hundreds of birds simultaneously in prolonged suffering. The loss of vultures from ecosystems has cascading effects, increasing carcass persistence and disease transmission risks that affect other wildlife and domestic animals. Each vulture saved from poisoning is both a welfare gain and an ecological one.

What You Can Do

Support campaigns to ban veterinary diclofenac in countries where vultures are affected
Donate to vulture rescue and rehabilitation programmes in Africa and Asia
Advocate for stronger enforcement against deliberate wildlife poisoning
Support alternative vulture-safe anti-inflammatory options for livestock treatment
Raise awareness about vulture conservation among communities sharing habitat with these birds