vanbcbirds@groups.io

#887

Not exactly about BC birds, but a great article in this week’s New Yorker magazine about the fight to save South Asia’s vultures. Like many New Yorker feature articles, it is a bit long, but very interesting. 

As many of you are aware, many vulture populations in Asia suffered 99% population declines. .. one of the sharper bird population declines in history. Some species went from too numerous to count to critically endangered in a matter of a decade or so. All because of the use of diclofenac. Another tragic example of how nature is being devastated by man’s activities. 

Anyway, I hope this link works. :)

Daniel Bastaja
danielbastaja@... <mailto:danielbastaja@...>

#888

Just to add Dan that 30 years ago, tens of MILLIONS of white-rumped vultures were flying the skies of Asia – it was the most abundant large bird of prey in the world and, as you say, White-rumped vulture populations have declined by 99.9 per cent since 1992 and are now on the brink of extinction. And that has had an impact on humans too with increases in diseases like Tuberculosis, anthrax and foot-and-mouth diseases. But what is worse is that despite alternative safe drugs being readily available, Diclofenac has been authorized for use in domestic animals in Spain (where 80% of all European vultures are found) and is now becoming widely available on the EU market! 

Derek

Derek Matthews - VARC

Show quoted text

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Daniel Bastaja
Sent: January 31, 2024 1:45 PM
To: Vanbirds <[email protected]>
Subject: [vanbcbirds] Vultures

Not exactly about BC birds, but a great article in this week’s New Yorker magazine about the fight to save South Asia’s vultures. Like many New Yorker feature articles, it is a bit long, but very interesting. 

As many of you are aware, many vulture populations in Asia suffered 99% population declines. .. one of the sharper bird population declines in history. Some species went from too numerous to count to critically endangered in a matter of a decade or so. All because of the use of diclofenac. Another tragic example of how nature is being devastated by man’s activities. 

Anyway, I hope this link works. :)

Daniel Bastaja
danielbastaja@... <mailto:danielbastaja@...>

#889

Yes… very distressing Derek that diclofenac is still on the market in places like Spain and Italy. There has been pressure for an EU-wide ban for at least the past decade. Puzzling why the EU is dragging its feet on the matter. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. As is so typical, environmental considerations always take a back seat to money, economic development, and political considerations. As you know, the farm lobby is powerful in Europe.  

DB

Show quoted text

On Jan 31, 2024, at 23:47, Derek Matthews <Derek@...> wrote:

Just to add Dan that 30 years ago, tens of MILLIONS of white-rumped vultures were flying the skies of Asia – it was the most abundant large bird of prey in the world and, as you say, White-rumped vulture populations have declined by 99.9 per cent since 1992 and are now on the brink of extinction. And that has had an impact on humans too with increases in diseases like Tuberculosis, anthrax and foot-and-mouth diseases. But what is worse is that despite alternative safe drugs being readily available, Diclofenac has been authorized for use in domestic animals in Spain (where 80% of all European vultures are found) and is now becoming widely available on the EU market! 

Derek

Derek Matthews - VARC

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Daniel Bastaja
Sent: January 31, 2024 1:45 PM
To: Vanbirds <[email protected]>
Subject: [vanbcbirds] Vultures

Not exactly about BC birds, but a great article in this week’s New Yorker magazine about the fight to save South Asia’s vultures. Like many New Yorker feature articles, it is a bit long, but very interesting. 

As many of you are aware, many vulture populations in Asia suffered 99% population declines. .. one of the sharper bird population declines in history. Some species went from too numerous to count to critically endangered in a matter of a decade or so. All because of the use of diclofenac. Another tragic example of how nature is being devastated by man’s activities. 

Anyway, I hope this link works. :)

Daniel Bastaja
danielbastaja@... <mailto:danielbastaja@...>

#890

I agree Dan - there's rarely a day when there's any good news for bird populations around the world! :o(

Derek

Show quoted text

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Daniel Bastaja
Sent: January 31, 2024 3:05 PM
To: Vanbirds <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [vanbcbirds] Vultures

Yes… very distressing Derek that diclofenac is still on the market in places like Spain and Italy. There has been pressure for an EU-wide ban for at least the past decade. Puzzling why the EU is dragging its feet on the matter. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. As is so typical, environmental considerations always take a back seat to money, economic development, and political considerations. As you know, the farm lobby is powerful in Europe.  

DB

On Jan 31, 2024, at 23:47, Derek Matthews <Derek@...> wrote:

Just to add Dan that 30 years ago, tens of MILLIONS of white-rumped vultures were flying the skies of Asia – it was the most abundant large bird of prey in the world and, as you say, White-rumped vulture populations have declined by 99.9 per cent since 1992 and are now on the brink of extinction. And that has had an impact on humans too with increases in diseases like Tuberculosis, anthrax and foot-and-mouth diseases. But what is worse is that despite alternative safe drugs being readily available, Diclofenac has been authorized for use in domestic animals in Spain (where 80% of all European vultures are found) and is now becoming widely available on the EU market! 

Derek

Derek Matthews - VARC

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Daniel Bastaja
Sent: January 31, 2024 1:45 PM
To: Vanbirds <[email protected]>
Subject: [vanbcbirds] Vultures

Not exactly about BC birds, but a great article in this week’s New Yorker magazine about the fight to save South Asia’s vultures. Like many New Yorker feature articles, it is a bit long, but very interesting. 

As many of you are aware, many vulture populations in Asia suffered 99% population declines. .. one of the sharper bird population declines in history. Some species went from too numerous to count to critically endangered in a matter of a decade or so. All because of the use of diclofenac. Another tragic example of how nature is being devastated by man’s activities. 

Anyway, I hope this link works. :)

Daniel Bastaja
danielbastaja@... <mailto:danielbastaja@...> 

开云体育

Vultures