“A widely-used livestock pain killer could endanger the survival of vultures around the world. The rapid decline of Indian vulture populations has been blamed on the use of the drug, diclofenac, to treat inflammation in cattle. “
The endangered Siberian Crane, whose population has been dwindling since 1971, traditionally migrates from its Russian summer home to warmer climes in the winter months. This season, Siberian Cranes have failed to arrive at the Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary in Bharatpur, India for the third straight year. Two hundred cranes wintered in Bharatpur as recently as 1964. The birds now prefer Chinese wetlands for their winter home. A map by BirdLife International shows the winter and summer habitats of these endangered birds, which live in two recognized colonies.
Related links:
International Crane Foundation
Siberian Crane Wetland Project
