I was actually going to do an animal of the week this week, but something else, something utterly disturbing has captured my attention, so that is taking the forefront & it involves the avian chaps in the photo below.
 |
| Hooded Vulture - Gonzo |
 |
| Me & Gonzo |
It is indeed the vulture. They are one of the groups of animals I am devoted to and its safe to say they are in trouble, well even more trouble then they already face. There are 23 species in total, but 14 of these are considered threatened, endangered or at major risk of extinction. Each species fills its own vital ecological niche of cleaning up carrion and preventing the spread of disease. There is such a negative stigma surrounding these birds, they are always depicted of harbingers of death and desolation because of their ecology and how television and film has chosen to depict them. This has given them unfavorable public opinion. I have been very lucky to have gotten up close and personal with a few vulture species. I have aided in the training of one (Gonzo the hooded vulture in the picture above and to the side) and helped fly numerous others, they are truly brilliant animals. They are ecological recyclers essential to the health and well-being of any ecosystem they live in.
Fall from grace - The vicious circle
Now we can move onto the problem at hand. Diclofenac is a powerful anti-inflammatory drug that has virtually decimated vulture populations in India, Pakistan and Nepal. The problem began in Asia back in the 1990's. Diclofenac was a readily available drug used to treat cattle for various problems; when the animals died the drug remained in their system. Cultural factors mean that vultures are welcome to feast on the bodies of the fallen cattle, when the vultures ate the carcass the drug would cause almost immediate death to the birds. It is now known that the drug is mercilessly poisonous to vultures. It caused one of the most shocking and steep animal population declines known, in under 10 years vulture populations fell by a staggering 99%. This in turn led to an increase in stray dogs and spread of disease such as rabies, as there were no vultures to clear up the rotting carcasses. Paramount efforts by conservation groups led to the drug being banned in India with signs of recovery beginning to come into view, with the first releases planned for 2016.
A repeat of this ecological disaster is now threatening European vultures. Despite the fact that safe, alternative drugs are readily available, Diclofenac has been authorised for use in domestic animals in Italy and Spain, the 2 countries that happen to house 80% of Europe's entire vulture population. As I write this, it is becoming available on European markets. In Europe there are 4 rare vulture species, including the Egyptian vulture and cinerous vulture. These vultures are already facing other problems which are currently being combated by devoted groups. Years of conservation and millions of euros have ensured the survival of these species, but all of this is now threatened.
Attached to this post is a link to a petition, one i would like you all to sign, an immediate ban on Diclofenac is needed if European vultures are to stand a chance. It will also help set a precedent to African countries to stop the spread of this drug which has already begun to systematically destroy populations in a repeated fashion to their Asian cousins.
This is a call to arms, a Vox Populi! Only with support and education can the vulture survive. You can all have an impact and you can help. Signing the petition is the first step to helping these birds. The tale of the vulture is not one of blame, but one of a lack of drug trialing and a severe lack of education. Many animals learn from past experiences so why do some humans have the inability to do the same? This is not right, it is animal cruelty wrapped up in legislation and must be halted.
Links
Vulture Conservation Foundation: https://www.facebook.com/vultureconservationfoundation?fref=ts
Saving Asia's Vultures from Extinction (SAVE): http://www.save-vultures.org/
 |
| King Vulture |
 |
| Ruppell's Vulture |
No comments:
Post a Comment