First documented case of flunixin residue in a Himalayan Vulture Hume, 1869 (Aves: Accipitriformes: Accipitridae) in India: conservation and veterinary implications

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), particularly diclofenac, have been widely identified as a major cause of vulture deaths across Asia, leading to significant population declines. The impact of other veterinary NSAIDs, including flunixin, remains poorly documented. This study reports the first confirmed case of flunixin residue in a wild Himalayan Vulture Gyps himalayensis (Hume, 1869) in India. A juvenile vulture was rescued from Jaldapara National Park, West Bengal, and transferred to the Buxa Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre & Aviary at Rajabhatkhawa (West Bengal) for treatment and rehabilitation. Despite medical intervention, the bird died. Necropsy revealed extensive visceral gout, indicative of renal failure. Toxicological analysis confirmed the presence of flunixin residues in the tissues (stomach contents showed the highest level of flunixin with 903.9 ng/g, followed by the kidney with 214.3 ng/g, and the liver with 67.6 ng/g). This report highlights the requirement for careful monitoring of veterinary NSAID usage in India by trained professionals for the conservation of endangered vulture populations.