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The Asian White-backed vulture was classed as critically endangered after its population dropped dramatically on the Indian sub-continent in the late 1990s. It had already virtually disappeared from Southeast Asia by the mid 20th century.

The reason why this bird has become endangered has been found to be largely due to the use of a particular drug on livestock. The drug is Diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory which is commonly given to livestock in Asia. If vultures feed on the carcasses of animals that have been treated with Diclofenac shortly before they die, the drug causes the vultures' kidneys to shut down, resulting in death.

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12y ago

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