Which veterinary drug, when consumed via carcasses, has caused a drastic population plummet for the Red-headed Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus)?
Answer
Diclofenac
The catastrophic decline of the Red-headed Vulture populations across Asia is directly linked to poisoning resulting from consuming livestock carcasses treated with specific veterinary drugs. The most lethal of these non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) mentioned is diclofenac. When the vulture ingests tissue containing this drug, it induces kidney failure, which is fatal to the bird. This ecological disaster has prompted significant conservation efforts focused on banning or restricting the use of diclofenac in livestock farming in the region.
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