There is no doubt that advancement of technology has improved lives of hundreds and thousands of people, but is should also be noted that many species have been threatened too because of the same. Here we are talking about diclofenac, the veterinary painkiller, which has led to the drastic decline in the number of vulture species, like Red-headed and Egyptian Vulture.

Indian subcontinent is the worst hit region. The population of the Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus) and the Red-headed Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus) had witnessed a huge decline by 80% and 90% respectively. Concerns have been raised since the mid-1990 when the drug was first noticed to have deadly impacts on vulture species. The Slender-billed Vulture, White-rumped Vulture and the Long-billed Vulture were the other species that were earlier affected by the painkiller.

The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and the Royal Society for Protection of Birds (RSPB) has showed a drastic fall in the number of vultures by more than 98%. BNHS Director Asad Rahmani said in a statement, "The partial recovery of vulture numbers after the ban shows that strong research and advocacy go a long way in effective conservation. Further research should also focus on the current status of Red-headed and Egyptian vultures."".

BNHS and RSPB are making joint efforts to set up Vulture Safe Zones (VSZ) across the country. They will also ensure captive breeding of vultures so as to prevent them from reaching extinction.

According to avian specialists, vultures on the IUCN list of critically endangered birds are elusive and slow breeding creatures. It is beyond the realms of possibility to figure out their exact numbers as the only way to predict their population is through sightings.

The research has revealed that a ban on the drug has played a significant role in reduction of the declining numbers of all vulture species.