John, Paul, George and Ringo- Long Billed Vultures

Three of southern Asia's vultures have declined by more than 95% since the early 1990s. Including this species- the Long-billed vulture.

The Oriental white-backed vulture was so abundant in India in the 1980s that it was probably the most common large bird of prey in the world. It has declined by 99.9%.

Today, along with the long-billed vulture and slender-billed vulture, it is critically threatened with extinction in the near future.

This shocking decline is because of a veterinary drug, diclofenac, which is toxic to any vulture that feeds on the corpse of recently treated cattle.

There is hope- the RSPB and the Bombay Natural History Society are working together to captive breed vultures, in a safe environment with clean food. They will work with other BirdLife partners to lobby governments and raise awareness in India, Pakistan and Nepal, to make sure the diclofenac bans are effective in time to prevent total extinction.

In 10 or 15 years' time, the plan is to reintroduce the captive birds to a safer world. Donations are urgently needed. To support this campaign click on the link below:

www.rspb.org.uk/supporting/campaigns/vultures/index.asp