Vultures and Diclofenac Poisoning

The anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac, used in livestock, has caused catastrophic vulture population collapses across South Asia with major welfare consequences.

Key Facts

South Asian vulture populations declined by 95 to 99% between 1992 and 2007 due to diclofenac poisoning
Vultures that consume carcasses of livestock treated with diclofenac die of visceral gout within days
Three vulture species — white-rumped, slender-billed, and long-billed vultures — are critically endangered
India, Pakistan, and Nepal banned veterinary diclofenac in 2006 but illegal use continues
Vulture restaurants (carcass feeding sites with drug-free carcasses) are a conservation welfare tool

Welfare Considerations

Vultures dying of diclofenac-induced gout experience severe internal pain from uric acid crystallization in organs. The scale of the die-off — hundreds of millions of birds over 15 years — represents one of the most rapid and severe wildlife welfare disasters ever documented. Recovery requires both drug use reduction and active vulture population management.

What You Can Do

Support campaigns for complete veterinary diclofenac bans and enforcement in South Asian countries
Donate to vulture conservation programs operating carcass-feeding sites with verified drug-free carcasses
Advocate for meloxicam as the safe alternative to diclofenac in livestock treatment