Satellite-Tagged Vulture from Kazakhstan Found Dead in Rajasthan, Suspected Poisoning
A juvenile Cinereous Vulture, which was the first of its kind to be satellite-tagged in Kazakhstan as part of an international raptor tracking program, has been discovered dead in Judiya village, Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The bird was located during a routine field survey, marking a tragic end to its migratory journey from Central Asia to the Indian subcontinent.
Migration and Tracking Details
The vulture was fitted with a satellite tag and identification ring on July 24, 2024, under the Raptor Research and Conservation Network. Scientists Igor Karyakin and Alyona Kaptyonkina led the effort to monitor long-distance migration routes between Central Asia and India. According to a member of the Raptor Conservation Society, the bird, with tag number KA5105, successfully completed two round-trip journeys before dying during its third winter sojourn in Rajasthan.
During the survey, conservationists recovered the bird's identification ring, confirming its identity, but the satellite tag could not be located. Preliminary assessments indicate the vulture died approximately a week prior to discovery, with its body significantly decomposed and largely consumed by feral animals.
Suspected Cause of Death: Toxic Veterinary Drugs
Conservationists suspect the vulture may have died after feeding on the carcass of a livestock animal that had been administered a banned veterinary painkiller before death. This threat has long been linked to vulture mortality across South Asia. Rajasthan hosts major carcass dumping grounds that support one of the highest concentrations of wintering raptors in Asia, attracting numerous migratory species annually.
Environmentalists warn that the continued use of toxic veterinary drugs poses a serious threat to these birds. Researcher Dau Lal Bohra explained, "Nimesulide was widely used as a painkiller for animals including cattle, pigs, and horses. When such animals die and are dumped in carcass yards, vultures feed on them and ingest the toxic residue, which often proves fatal, particularly for young birds."
Government Bans and Enforcement Challenges
Recently, the Centre prohibited the production, sale, and distribution of all formulations of Nimesulide, following research by the Indian Veterinary Research Institute in Bareilly that confirmed the drug's lethal impact on vultures. However, conservationists allege the drug remains easily available in parts of Rajasthan, highlighting enforcement issues.
An environmentalist noted, "To protect the vulture population, a number of veterinary drugs have been prohibited. The most significant among them is Diclofenac, banned for veterinary use in 2006. More recently, Aceclofenac and Ketoprofen were also banned in 2023–24, but effective implementation of these restrictions is still lacking."
Broader Implications for Migratory Raptors
This incident underscores the vulnerabilities faced by migratory raptors that rely on Rajasthan's carcass dumping sites for food during winter. A large number of birds from Central Asia depend on these areas, and exposure to toxic veterinary drugs increasingly affects their survival, particularly younger individuals. Conservationists emphasize the need for stronger enforcement of drug bans and enhanced monitoring to safeguard these critical populations.
