Three of southern Asia's vultures have declined by more than 97% since the early 1990s.

The Oriental white-backed vulture was so abundant in India in the 1980s that it was probably the most common large bird of prey in the world. Only one in a thousand now survives, a 99.9% decline for this species.

Today, along with the long-billed vulture and slender-billed vulture, it is critically threatened with extinction in the near future.

This shocking decline is because of a veterinary drug, diclofenac, which is toxic to any vulture that feeds on the corpse of recently treated cattle.

RSPB Vice-President Chris Packham speaks passionately about why we must save Asia's vultures.

Their decline has been quicker than that of the dodo - now is our chance to prevent them from suffering the same fate

What do we hope to achieve?

We need to raise money urgently to save these magnificent birds.

Until diclofenac stops being used for cattle in Asia these birds need to be bred in captivity, to be released only when it is safe for them in the wild once more.

We are also working hard and supporting our BirdLife partners to help rid the market of diclofenac for veterinary use by showing farmers there are other solutions just as effective at treating their cattle.

 

Why we need your help

1. we will breed captive vultures, in a safe environment with clean food
2. we will work with our BirdLife partners to lobby governments and raise awareness in India, Pakistan and Nepal, to make sure the diclofenac bans are effective in time to prevent total extinction
3. in 10 or 15 years' time, we will reintroduce the captive birds to a safer world

 

Find out more

• The problem of diclofenac
• Captive breeding - the only option
• Campaign news