The decline in the population of vultures in the Indian countryside is primarily attributed to the use of a drug called diclofenac by cattle owners to treat their diseased cattle. Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used to treat inflammation and pain in cattle. However, when vultures consume the carcasses of cattle treated with diclofenac, they suffer from kidney failure and die. This has resulted in a drastic decline in the population of vultures in India, with some species declining by more than 99% in just a few decades. While destruction of their nesting sites and scarcity of food may also contribute to the decline of vultures, the use of diclofenac is the primary reason for their decline in India. The introduction of alternative drugs such as meloxicam, which are safe for vultures, has been suggested as a solution to this problem.