Ecological effects Diclofenac

use of diclofenac in animals has been reported have led sharp decline in vulture population in indian subcontinent – 95% decline 2003 , 99.9% decline 2008. mechanism presumed renal failure, toxicity may due direct inhibition of uric acid secretion in vultures. vultures eat carcasses of livestock have been administered veterinary diclofenac, , poisoned accumulated chemical, vultures not have particular enzyme break down diclofenac. @ meeting of national wildlife board in march 2005, government of india announced intended phase out veterinary use of diclofenac. meloxicam safer candidate replace use of diclofenac. more expensive diclofenac, price coming down more drug companies begin manufacture it.

steppe eagles have same vulnerability diclofenac vultures , may fall victim it. diclofenac has been shown harm freshwater fish species such rainbow trout. in contrast, new world vultures, such turkey vulture, can tolerate @ least 100 times level of diclofenac lethal gyps species.

loss of tens of millions of vultures on last decade has had major ecological consequences across indian subcontinent pose potential threat human health. in many places, populations of feral dogs (canis familiaris) have increased sharply disappearance of gyps vultures main scavenger of wild , domestic ungulate carcasses. associated rise in dog numbers increased risk of rabies , casualties of 50,000 people. government of india cites 1 of major consequences of vulture species extinction. major shift in transfer of corpse pathogens vultures feral dogs , rats lead disease pandemic causing millions of deaths in crowded country india; whereas vultures’ digestive systems safely destroy many species of such pathogens.

the loss of vultures has had social impact on indian zoroastrian parsi community, traditionally use vultures dispose of human corpses in towers of silence, compelled seek alternative methods of disposal.

despite vulture crisis, diclofenac remains available in other countries including many in europe. controversially approved veterinary use in spain in 2013 , continues available, despite spain being home around 90% of european vulture population , independent simulation showing drug reduce population of vultures 1-8% annually. spain s medicine agency presented simulations suggesting number of deaths quite small.