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Jorbeer (Bikaner) has remained major source of attraction in past year as 20-35 carcasses dumped
per day by municipal board. Seven vulture species have been regularly wintering at Jorbeer. The
site is 4 square / kilometer forest area and 12 km. away from Bikaner city. Three vulture species
have increased consistently i.e. Eurasian Griffon Vulture, Himalayan Griffon Vulture and Egyptian
Vultures. King Vulture, White backed vulture, long billed vulture and Cinereous vultures remained
stable in population. Vultures were observed healthy during long term study from October 2001 to
March, 2015.
As variety of theories reveals that Diclofenac and now Acelophenac are main cause of vultures
decline. Vultures at Jorbeer have not exhibited overt sign of Diclofenac and Acelofenac
contamination and toxicity. Even no single vulture were observed sick or diseased. Vultures were
always injured and killed by feral dogs. Feral dogs are main threat for vultures at Jorbeer. The
manufacture and importation of veterinary diclofenac was already banned in India in May 2006.
The survey conducted in this study shows that Acelofenac has not been prescribing by Doctors and
unavailable in veterinary pharma shops. In Bikaner city Nimesulide, Paracetamol, Chlorzoxazone,
Ketoprofen and Analgin are widly used to treat cattle population. This study explains that
Diclofenac, Acelofenac and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. (NSAIDs) are not
responsible for vulture decline.
Keywords: Diclofenac, Acelofenac, NSAIDs, Vulture Population, Feral dogs.