Short Communication

FOOD LIMITATION AS A POTENTIALLY EMERGING CONTRIBUTOR TO THE ASIAN VULTURE CRISIS

Fakhar-i-Abbas, Thomas P. Rooney*, Jibran Haider** and Afsar Mian***

Bioresource Research Centre
*Department of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy. Dayton, OH 45435.
**Forest and Wildlife Department of Gilgit, Pakistan
***Institute of Natural and Management Sciences
Corresponding Author e-mail: safiajanjua@hotmail.com

ABSTRACT

It was believed that the reason for decline in Asian vulture population is the drug, Diclofenac sodium (DFS), used in livestock. Even after declaring the DFS use banned by the government, apparent decrease in the population of vultures was reported. Alternate hypothesis was suggested that food limitation may be a cause of Asian vulture crisis in Pakistan. Very recent shifts in livestock utilization observed in Pakistan may present a significant barrier to vulture recovery. Increased livestock utilization is translated to fewer carcasses. Since 2005, no livestock carcasses were found in 1650 km transect in the habitat of vultures. Carcasses recorded 13 in 1999 gradually declined to almost zero in 2005 and onwards, which suggests DFS may not be the only cause of Asian Vulture Crisis.
Key words: Diclofenac Sodium (DFS), Asian Vulture, Food Limitation.