Endangered long-billed vultures in Pakistan: WWF sounds alarm

PESHAWAR: Pakistan’s long-billed vulture population faces a dire threat to its existence, warns a report released by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The report underscores the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect these endangered birds.

According to the WWF’s statistics on long-beaked vultures in Pakistan, the situation has taken a concerning turn. Between 2006 and 2015, the vulture population in the country stood at 358. However, in the current year, the number has plummeted to a mere 233 vultures. The decline has been attributed to the use of the veterinary drug Diclofenac on cattle.

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Despite a nationwide ban on Diclofenac usage in 2006 to safeguard vultures from extinction, its continued use has led to catastrophic outcomes. Vultures, known for their role in cleaning up ecosystems by feeding on carcasses, are inadvertently poisoned when they consume the drug-contaminated remains of animals treated with Diclofenac.

Compounding the issue, the WWF also highlights the dangers posed by other drugs such as Aceclofenac and Ketoprofen, which are harmful to vultures when ingested through their scavenging activities.

The decline of Pakistan’s long-billed vultures is not only an environmental concern but also disrupts the ecological balance in the region. These birds play a crucial role in maintaining the environment by preventing the spread of diseases through their natural scavenging behavior.