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WCC 2016 Res 022 - Activity Report

Submitted by Chris.BOWDEN on Sat, 01/27/2018 - 11:16
General Information
Conservation measures for vultures, including banning the use of veterinary diclofenac
IUCN Constituent: 
375EC7B3-D2A1-E611-B6EC-005056BA6623
IUCN Constituent type: 
IUCN Species Survival Commission 2017-2020
Period covered: 
2017
Geographic scope: 
Global
In implementing this Resolution your organization has worked/consulted with...
IUCN Members: 
Prokriti O Jibon Foundation ( POJF ) / Bangladesh
Royal Society for Protection of Nature ( RSPN ) / Bhutan
Aaranyak / India
Bird Conservation Nepal/Nepal Panchhi Samrakchyan Sangh ( BCN ) / Nepal
World Wide Fund - Pakistan ( WWF ) / Pakistan
Endangered Wildlife Trust ( EWT ) / South Africa
Zoological Society of London ( ZSL ) / United Kingdom
BirdLife International / United Kingdom
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds ( RSPB ) / United Kingdom
Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust ( DWCT ) / Jersey
IUCN Commissions: 
F717E09E-5094-E611-97F4-005056BA6623
IUCN Secretariat: 
Yes
Other non-IUCN related organisations: 
Multiple, Vulture Conservation Foundation, Arulagam
Implementation
Indicate and briefly describe any actions that have been carried out to implement this Resolution: 
ActionDescriptionStatus
Convene stakeholders/NetworkingAnnual SAVE meeting pulled 21 partners including Govts together, and reviewed the Blueprint recovery plan. Govts regional steering committee also met. And a South India meeting was held in Jan 2018.On-going
Education/Communication/Raising awarenessA huge body of work being carried out mainly in South Asia by SAVE partners, BNHS, Arulagam, Corbett Foundation is underway.On-going
Field activitiesThrough SAVE network in South Asia, a range of NSAID monitoring activities as well as awareness work, and safety-testing on vultures.On-going
Policy influencing/advocacyKey success in 2017 was the upholding of the Indian Govt Multi-dose vials of human diclofenac ban, which was challenged in the court. Arulagam, BNHS and SAVE (RSPB) had important roles in this successful defencce, along with Indian Health Ministryt and ministry of Environment. There are furher measures needed for the other NSAIDs. In Europe, there was a concerted campaign involving BlirdLife, Vulture Conservation Foundation and SEO Birdlife (Spain) to drive a diclofenac ban in EU states, especially Spain. In addition, there has been a lote of effort to define an international action plan incorporating the central theme of the resolution - this is the CMS Raptors MoU 'Multi-species action plan for old workd vultures. This was finalized in 2017 and adopted at CMS CoP in Manila October 2017.On-going
Scientific/technical activitiesSafety testing on Himalayan Griffons started Nov 2017, and is a key action. This is happening through SAVE, BNHS, IVRI. Completing this for up to ten drugs (one has begun only so a lot to do!) is crucial.On-going
Please report on the result /achievement of the actions taken: 
Key actions were the successful upholding of the India multi-dose larger vials of human diclofenac in the face of a court challenge brought by two prominent pharmaceutical companies. Also in South Asia, the Bangladesh Government banned ketoprofen and aceclofenac in 25% of the country where most vultures occur. Probably the major progress however was the initiation of safety-testing of NSAIDs on Gyps himalayensis in India, through a government institution with SAVE and BNHS involvement and direction. In Europe, there was significant activity and engagemement of BirdLife International partnership, and Vulture Conservation Foundation, as well as specifically by SEO Birdlife in Spain. The prospect of reversing the veterinary licensing of diclofenac in Spain at least is now looking more likely.
What challenges have you encountered in implementing this Resolution and what measures have you taken to overcome them?: 
The courtcase in Madras High Court (see above) has been a big concern in India (now successfully diffused thankfully).
Identify and briefly describe what future actions are planned for the implementation of this Resolution: