WILDLIFE

Introduction of Vultures

INTRODUCTION

Vulture is a large sized bird, weight of adult bird ranges from 10-15kg, source of food is carcasses of dead animal, very rarely takes live prey. Vultures are described as endangered species due to decline in its population. This decline has been noticed in all parts of the world including western countries.

SUPPORTIVE REFERENCES RELATED TO WORLD OVER DECLINE     FILE A

Ø     Bearded vultures is an endangered species in Europe, because its population no. Fewer than 250 pairs listed on annex 1 of EU wild birds’ directive and appendix 2^nd of burn convention and born convention reference page 4of 23, final draft September 1999 bird life international.

Ø     Griffin vulture in Cyprus is decreasing from year to year, on some traditional nesting sites no more birds are seen. This decrease was also ob served in other European countries. (Glutz el Al). In the late 80’s and early 90’s vulture became a rare phenomenon in the skies of Cyprus. General breeding colonies ahs possibly been exterminated page 1 of 3 the world of Cyprus kyprosnet .web.

Ø     The most under pressure species the sword fish, African bull log, and the South African cap culture (Scottish wed 25 October, 2006).

Ø     In the Alps bearded vultures were exterminated in the course of Nineteenth century.  WWF bearded culture population and distribution.

Ø     Between e the beginning of 1970 and early 1990 the breeding population of the Egyptian vulture in Italian peninsula decrease from 29 to9 breeding pairs. We analyzed the main aspect the decline of the population during last 30 years. Biological conservation source 2001 volume.

Ø     Vulture population found in Spain, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, china, India, Sudan, Pakistan, threatened world over. Accipitride hawks and trees eagles;

http://my.org.il/holon/birds/q11.html

CAUSES IDENTIFIED FOR VULTURE DECLINE WORLD OVER 

Most of the researchers world over have identified the following factors responsible for vulture decline.

1.                 Shortage of carcasses available to vultures due to better arrangements of its disposal.

2.                 Bacterial and viral diseases affecting the vulture.

3.                 Breeding failures.

4.                 Urbanization and climatic changes.

5.                 Pesticides and chemical contamination.

6.                 Loss of habitants and deforestrization.

7.                 Decrease in wildlife.

8.                 gun shooting

9.                 Poisoning.

DICLOFENAC AS SOLE CAUSE OF VULTURE DECLINE.

Dr. Aleem professor of zoology Bhauddin Zakariya University with financial support of peregrine fund USA conducted a study on vulture decline in Pakistan form 2002-2003 (Annexure1. File B)

 His paper concerning to this research was published in 2004. According to his findings Diclofenac treated animal when dies they contain of residue of Diclofenac sodium

When vulture consumes flesh of these dead animals their kidneys are being affected and they die due to kidney failure. The findings of Dr. Aleem’s research are altogether different than the findings of other researches conducted world over.

POINTS FOR RECONSIDERATION

Diclofenac sodium containing preparation REUFLOGIN from FATRO, Italia was registered in Pakistan 1996 and launched in 1998. The price for 50 ml pack was Rs: 450, due to its high price the acceptance was very poor in the market. Locally manufactured  Diclofenac sodium was registered in year 1998. It is obvious that any drug introduced in the market takes years to be popularized, the customers of veterinary drugs are mostly illiterate and scattered in remote areas, their behavior towards new invention is very rigid, they still believe on conventional type therapies to treat the animals.

Dr. Aleem started his research on vulture decline in year 2000, how one can believe that in span of 1-2 years Diclofenac is being spread throughout the country and being consumed by 100 million animals of the country. In his own research paper Dr. Aleem has declared that the vulture population decline in sub continent was first noted in 1990. According to his assumptions Diclofenac sodium is responsible for vulture decline before its launch. Research published by Dr. Aleem is controversional to all researches conducted world over on this subject at different times. He has ignored all other factors identified in previous scientific studies and made only Diclofenac sodium responsible for the decline of vulture population.

This study was discussed at different scientific forums in Pakistan and nobody was satisfied with the findings to this research. WWF with the collaboration of ICUN conducted a workshop on 2^nd September 2004 as WWF Head office, Lahore,. This session was attended by the staff of WWF and MOH, professors of pharmacology departments BZU and UVAS, Ministry of Environment, Department of Livestock and Dairy Development.  It was a day long session attended by 50 participants, Dr. Aleem presented his research paper afterwards the participants had a detailed discussion on this subject. Majority of the attending delegates disagreed with the finding to the Dr. Aleem on scientific bases. Concluding remarks of the chairperson Dr. Manzoor ahmed, Vice Chancellor, UVAS were as following. (Annexure 2. B)

There is need for action to stop the rapid decline of vulture population and offered all the support of university, he further said that the causes of population decline were still in question. Minutes of the session were prepared by Uzma Khan, conservation biologist WWF Pakistan and circulated to all participants. Surprisingly Uzma Khan, advocated to standing committee to National assembly on Environment to ban Diclofenac sodium in veterinary use to show her efficiency.

CONTROVERSIAL POINTS

1.    No research world over except that of Dr. Aleem have made responsible Diclofenac sodium for decline of vulture population.

2.    Dr. Aleem in his research has stated that the residue of Diclofenac sodium in the carcasses of treated animal are responsible for the decline of vulture.  According to him when vulture consumes flesh of Diclofenac treated animals they develop hyperuricaemia, which results into deposition of URATES in the kidney of vultures leading to kidney failure. This statement is entirely different than the data published in the Martindale Pharmacology 33^rd Addition 2002(Annexure 3. B)

The book states that the terminal plasma half life of Diclofenac Sodium is 1 – 2 hours it means that Diclofenac is eliminated from the body very quickly. 50% of the drug is excreted in 1 – 2 hours.

A research conducted in Department of Pharmacology College of veterinary medicine and Animal resource king Faisal University of HOUFOF Saudia Arabia (Annexure 4. B), by Dr. Abdullah PhD, Dr. Khalid PhD, Dr. Badar Uddin PhdD Dr. Muzaffar PhD on pharmacokinetics of Diclofenac sodium in sheep has the following findings “Diclofenac is quickly eliminated from sheep with terminal T12 of 2-3 hours for both route of administration. The drug should be administered 2-3 times to maintain therapeutic concentration.

In Pakistan Diclofenac sodium is administered once in 24 hours to the    ailing animals the usual dose is 2.5mg/kg body weight. Diclofenac sodium do not has any prolong use, in most of the cases 2 or 3 injection are enough to treat animals. Drug having rapid excretion properties and short treatment regimen how can be made responsible for residual effect. This may happen with the Drug having long half life and prolong use.  

3.     All experiments done by the respectable researcher are hypothetical. Some debate able points of the study are as following.

A.    In his first experiment on captured vulture, he injected 2.5 mg \ kg body         weight.

The dose of 2.5 mg \ kg body weight is for animals, according to him both of the vultures who received animals dose died.

In his study he has ignored the fact that Diclofenac reaches in the body of vultures, through the dead bodies of the animals. Practically it is impossible that the same strength of Diclofenac injected to any animal will be transferred to vulture. Diclofenac when administered to any animal majority portion of it is exerted without 2 To 3 hours, and moreover we are not sure that when the animals is going to die, So how we can presume that Diclofenac when injected will be transferred to vulture without any loss in its potency .Dead bodies of animals are exposed to extreme weather conditions. External field factors affects the potency of the drug. Most the medicine including Diclofenac is stable below 30°c. 

In open areas the temperature in summer reaches above 50°c, at such a high temperature drugs are destabilized.

B.   In his second experiment he stated to verify that carcasses of treated livestock contain sufficient Diclofenac concentration to cause kidney failure and death. Ten juvenile OWBW were fed meat from a Buffalo or Goats that were injected intramuscular with 2.5mg \kg of veterinary Diclofenac once daily for 3 days, and that were slaughtered 4 hours after the Injection. The captured vultures were then fed on the meat of Diclofenac treated animals. The logic followed is not appealing what certainly the researcher have that all animals treated with Diclofenac injection are surely have to die within 4 hours after getting injections and have to be available as food for the vultures.

C. The whole research of Dr. Aleem is based on in-door observations. He has totally ignored the field facts. Instead of injecting Diclofenac directly to Vultures. He should have collected flesh from carcases, and then the vultures should have fed on them to observe the effect.

4.  Diclofenac sodium is not a life saving drug. It is used in livestock for controlling inflammation of joints. Diclofenac sodium is not the first line of treatment is emergency ccases such as septicaemia, shocks, pneumonia etc, where sudden death can happen.

If we assume that the animals dies within 24 hours after getting injection, the --effect may not be 10% at the time of availability of carcasses to vultures. A lot of processes are involved from the time of injections till the availability of dead body to vultures, during these processes the drug is not supposed to retain its injected potency. If a vulture being of 15 \ kg body weight consumer 1 kg meat then it will ingest 0.016 mg of Diclofenac. It is not possible that whole of ingested medicine will be absorbed, I t may be 50% of 0.016, then strength of absorb Diclofenac is 0.008 mg, which according researcher own findings is not toxic.

PRACTICAL ASPECT

The Departments of Livestock and Dairy Development have been providing extensive field services to farmers both a prevention and CURATIVE SIDE

These costs of animals have gone up, the farmers are conscious about the health of their animals, proper medication have reduced the mortality rate.

The animals when do not respond to medication are sold out the butchers at a reasonable price.

Disposal of dead animals is a commercial activity. On union council levels yearly contracts are awarded for lifting of dead animals. The contractors pay having some amount to the farmers for lifting the dead animals. Dead animals have commercial importance, hides are sold out, bones and flesh is consumed for preparation of protein and bone meal. Which is used as ingredients in. Poultry and Livestock feed.

Vulture entirely feed on caresses, they are not prey birds. Shortages of food have made them survival difficult.

BANNING PROCESS (Annexure 5. C)

1.     NGO’s having their vested interest contacted ministry of health to ban Diclofenac sodium veterinary use.

2.     Ministry of health referred the matter to ministry of agriculture and livestock for obtaining views of the expert committee on veterinary drugs. The chairman veterinary expert committee to who in the matter was referred was of the view.

“Diclofenac has a well established therapeutic use in human and animals.

The banning of its use in animals on a single study is not advisable. It needs more research by veterinary scientists; however this issue will be discussed in detail in next meeting of veterinary expert committee.

This said committee in its 63^rd meeting held on 5^th August 2004 considered this matter, and decided to propose a study to be carried out by Prof Dr. Muhammad Ashraf University of veterinary and animal sciences Lahore out of central research fund Ministry of Health. This matter was considered by the registration board in its 186^th meeting held on 13^th  and 14^th  October 2004 in depth and deferred  till study report of Prof  Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Various hypothesis concerning  to research were presented by Dr. Muhammad Ashraf , which were not agreed by Ministry of Health. Dr. Ashraf was requested on 24-12-2004 to submit the research projects along with detailed methodology and budget estimate. Professor Dr. Muhammad Ashraf was called for detailed presentation on the matter before registration board, however he could not attend the meeting the board recommended that Dr. Muhammad should be redefine his studies specifically pertaining to the matter. (Annexure 6. C)

3.       Ministry of environment sent reminders to expedite the progress made in imposition of Bann on manufacturing and use of Diclofenac in animals. Matter was taken to the Ministry of environment by the NGO’s for their vested interest.

4.       Ministry of Environment on pressure from NGO’s referred the matter to standing committee on environment of National Assembly of Pakistan (Annexure7. C) A meeting was held on 19^th November 2005 in Islamabad very few concerned were called to attend this. The meeting was deferred to next meeting.

In next meeting of standing committee on environment held in Islamabad  on 14^th March  2006 (Annexure 8. C). None of the concerned  from pharmaceutical’s Live stock Department , Health Department were called to attend this meeting.

5.       Ministry of food agriculture and livestock sent letters to all Director Generals of livestock ----Pakistan, professors of medicines of veterinary colleges; to send their recommendations to ban Diclofenac. Letter Ref No. F3-1/84-D Islamabad dated 13^th April 2006(Annexure 9. C).

6.       On 26^th April 2006 Ministry of Health Ref No F8-1/2004 Reg / issued show cause notice to Ban \Diclofenac, suggesting MELOXICAM as alternative drug .MELOXICAM have longer half life and is expensive. A Comparative study of both the salts have been attached as reference (Annexure 10. B)

7.       An opportunity was provided to manufacturers of Diclofenac on 10-06-2006 to appear before registration board. Manufacturer presented their point of view (Annexure 11. C)    

8.       The registration Board in one 1999 meeting held on 23^rd and 24^th August 2006 decided to de-register Diclofenac for veterinary use

(Annexure 12. C)

9.       Ministry of Health issued circular Ref No. F 3-4/06- Reg – 1 (M-199) dated 15^th September 2006, cancelled registration) of veterinary use Diclofenac with immediate effect (Annexure 13. C)

10.     On appeal of manufacturer, Appellate board called the Diclofenac veterinary manufacturers to appear on 21-2-07 at Islamabad. The manufacturer gave a collective presentation to the appellate Board. (Annexure 14. C) 

11.     Appellate Board circular Ref. No F1-6/2006-AB (PT) (M-131) dated 29^th March 2007 decided to uphold the decision of the registration Board (Annexure 15. C)

Conclusion

The decision to ban Diclofenac sodium injection was based on single controversional study. The field facts entirely different than picture presented in the research. Registration Board and Veterinary Expert committee agreed to conduct further research on this subject, but it was not completed due to certain unknown factors. The Decision seems to be unjustified. It looks that it is just obeying the pressure of the foreign NGO’s who are working here for their vested interest. The decision taken is without considering the hardships of poor farmers and veterinarians. This drug is not banned in Europe Middle-East Africa etc.   

It is claimed that decline and lost of vulture population has serious negative impact like the loss of natural scavenging system that could lead to the spread of animal and human diseases. It is amazing that we still believe on primitive practice of disposing dead animals. The conditions and old practices have now changed. Health requirements are that dead animals should be disposed off immediately. Why we still believe on old dated practice for disposal to put at risk the human population. Natural scavenging system is an old system in which body of dead animal is consumed in long time, during that period bad smell makes the atmosphere unpleasant, and also dead body may be source for deadly infections diseases. It is in the interest of general public: by adopting scientific latest disposal method both the human beings and vultures will be benefited.

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