25 Himalayan Griffon vultures killed by a train

February 2010. 25 Vultures (Gyps himalayensis) that were feeding on a cattle carcass on a railway track were killed by a train some 45 kilometres from Guwahati city in Assam.

Apparently the railway authorities did not report this incident until 4 days later. The Forest department immediately sent some staff to the site where they found 2 of the birds still alive, but seriously injured. They are now being treated at a nearby vetinerary centre. If the incident had been reported immediately, it is possible that many more vultures could have survived.

Vulture population crash due to Diclofenac
Population of all three Gyps vultures found in Asia decreased by about 95% within as little as three years in the 1990s, across parts of their home range in south Asia (source: Birdlife International). Once commonly-used as a livestock analgesic/anti-inflammatory drug, ‘Diclofenac' was identified as one of the main causes. Use of ‘Diclofenac' is now banned in India. However, because of higher costs of the safer alternative ‘Meloxicam' and lack of awareness among users, Diclofenac continues to be used.