Munir,
Although I have been a member of this
group for a while, not many of you know me.
On this subject however, I feel that EAWLS
can team up with other organizations to launch a campaign. Initially I had
thought only of writing a short news article in Swara but maybe we can do more.
I should inform you that I am writing a more detailed commentary about Furadan,
another chemical that is also killing birds and is readily available, which
will appear in Swara Vol. 30 no. 4 (December 2007). These two articles will
complement each other to highlight the plight of birds emanating from cheap but
dangerous chemicals.
I also operate a Blog at Wildlife Direct (founded
by Dr Richard Leakey) in which I have publicized the Lake Natron soda project
and its dangers to the flamingos. We could use this forum to publicize any
campaign that we may launch. There are also opportunities to raise funds from
ordinary people (mostly Americans) via this blog.
The Blog address is: http://www.wildlifedirect.org/blogAdmin/thewaterhole/
I will make a post today about Diclofenac.
Maina
From:
kenyabirdsnet@yahoogroups.com [mailto:kenyabirdsnet@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Munir Virani
Sent: 08 November 2007 08:49
To: chege wa kariuki
Cc: kenyabirdsnet@yahoogroups.com;
tanzaniabirds@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [KENYABIRDSNET]
diclofenac
Chege:
Your suggestion about a petition is a good one. However, this is something
for Kenyan organizations to take the lead on. Perhaps the EAWS and Nature
Kenya (KWS??)could team up to ensure that veterinary diclofenac is not
registered at least in Kenya as a legal pharmaceutical.
With the drug banned in India and Pakistan, there is likely to be a pathway
for stocks to end up in Africa. There is free movement of vultures and other
scavengers between Kenya and Tanzania and therefore Kenyans should be
concerned about diclofenac's availability in Tanzania. Remember that it only
takes ONE carcass out of between 250 and 1000 to cause the magnitude of
decline that has been observed in the Indian subcontinent.
Lastly, as you all prepare for the festive season and your birdwatching
safaris, please be on the look out for:
1) tagged vultures;
2) dead vultures; and
3) diclofenac for veterinary use.
Happy birding
Munir
----- Original Message -----
From: "chege wa kariuki" <chege@birdwatchinge
To: "Munir Virani" <munir.virani@
Cc: <kenyabirdsnet@
Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2007 8:31 AM
Subject: Re: [KENYABIRDSNET] diclofenac
Dear Munir et al
Just a quick suggestion about "diclofenac"
Could WCST, Birdlife, Peregrine Fund put up a petition form that could be
signed
via email or something.
cheer
chege
Quoting Munir Virani <munir.virani@
> Vulture-killing drug licensed in Tanzania
> 07-11-2007
>
>
> Investigations by WCST (WildLife Conservation Society of Tanzania,
> Birdlife
> in Tanzania), have confirmed that Diclofenac has been licensed for
> veterinary
> use in the country.
>
> Diclofenac induces fatal illness in vultures of the Gyps genus. Its use to
> treat livestock in the Indian subcontinent has driven three Gyps species
> to
> the brink of extinction.
>
> "This is shocking news, and means that the threat is far greater than
we
> thought" -Paul Nnyiti , WCST
>
>
>
> An official from Tanzania's Ministry of Livestock told Paul Nnyiti of WCST
> that Diclofenac is licensed and stocked in veterinary centres, and
> available
> under prescription by qualified veterinary personnel.
>
> "This is shocking news, and means that the threat is far greater than
we
> thought," said Paul Nnyiti of WCST. "We now fear that Diclofenac
may also
> already be licensed and used in other African countries. BirdLife Partners
> must work quickly to alert governments and veterinary organisations to the
> dangers of the drug, and campaign for licenses to be revoked and
> Diclofenac
> to be withdrawn from sale throught the African continent."
>
>
>