Diminishing of White-rumped vultures in Bangladesh

The White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) is a large Old World vultures, native to South and Southeast Asia. This bird holds significant symbolic value in Bangladesh, embodying the pride of our nation. Once a common sight in the region, its population has experienced a dramatic decline over the past few decades, making it one of the most Critically Endangered bird species today. Seven species of vultures are known to be occur in Bangladesh. Among them, red-headed vulture are supposed to locally exterminated from Bangladesh.

By the early 2000s, large numbers of Gyps vultures were being found dead or dying across South Asia, including Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India. Populations declined drastically, and in some places vultures disappeared altogether. Researchers traced the main cause of these losses to diclofenac, a veterinary drug commonly given to cattle and buffalo. When these livestock died, their carcasses, still containing residues of the drug were left for scavengers. Vultures feeding on them were unable to break down diclofenac in their bodies, which led to kidney failure and a condition called visceral gout, characterized by the build-up of uric acid crystals in their tissues.

This species experienced significant population declines throughout the 1990s across its entire distribution. Currently, there are approximately 6,000 individuals in India, fewer than 2,000 in Nepal, around 100 in Cambodia, approximately 250 in Bangladesh  and between 250 to 350 individuals in Bhutan and Pakistan . Consequently, the overall population is estimated to be around 6,000 to 9,000 individuals.

The Bangladesh government has declared Vulture Safe Zones to protect these vital scavengers. These zones encompass areas with a minimum radius of 100 km, covering approximately 30,000 km², surrounding key vulture breeding colonies. Efforts within these zones focus on education and advocacy to eliminate the use of diclofenac, ketoprofen and other toxic NSAIDs for the treatment of cattle. The Government of Bangladesh has also banned diclofenac and ketoprofen for cattle treatments. Other drugs like aceclofenac, nimesulide, and flunixin are known to be toxic to vultures, whereas meloxicam serves as a safe alternative to harmful NSAIDs. Promoting the use of safe medications such meloxicam for the treatment of the cattle, protecting nesting habitats, and encouraging behavioral change among relevant stakeholders, can help to prevent the extinction of this charismatic species in Bangladesh.