Human Impact on Steppe Eagle and other Birds of Prey in North-West Rajasthan, India

Abstract

From year 2011 to 2017 more than 1203 birds died at Jorbeer Carcass dump, Bikaner. In 2012, necroscopy examination revealed the presence of extensive visceral gout in the carcasses of Steppe Eagles. The synovial membrane of the knee joints also showed uric acid crystals, which were formed into numerous large discs with needle-thin peripheral radiations, and occasional inflammatory mononuclear cell foci (Sharma et al., 2012). Now, with unequivocal evidence that this veterinary drug can cause a much wider impact on Eurasia’s biodiversity, it is time for action – it is necessary to remove the diclofenac from market including multidose vials and find other cause of mortality.

Keywords

• birds of prey
• steppe eagle
• aquila nipalensis
• mortality
• diclofenac