Project History

In a study carried out by The Peregrine Fund and Ornithological Society of Pakistan between 2000-2003, Pakistan showed a 50% annual decrease in the White-backed vulture (Gyps bengalensis). Three colonies vanished completely in this period with populations of 421, 445 and 758 in Taunsa, Toawala and Changa Manga respectively.

Therefore the GypsVulture Restoration Project (GVRP) was initiated and focuses on the conservation of the White-backed vulture, which is categorized as a critically endangered species by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). It is a regional priority species for the Global Programme Framework of WWF Network.

The Project identified Diclofenac Sodium as being the single major cause of visceral gout in the vultures, which would lead to kidney failure. It was a pain killer injected into livestock. Any vulture eating a carcass with Diclofenac Sodium still in its system would develop kidney failure and die very quickly. One of the Project’s biggest successes has been lobbying with the government in order to ban the drug. It was effectively banned in September 2008 by the National Assembly’s Standing Committee of Environment.