A thrilling step to protect vultures and livestock has arrived in the Nilgiris! In Thengumarahada village, a unique ‘vulture-safe veterinary first-aid kit’ has been introduced for livestock owners. These kits are not just fancy toolboxes – they are packed with medicines safe for vultures and cattle alike. S. Bharathidasan, the secretary of Arulagam, a wildlife conservation NGO, shared the exciting news. The kits will be placed at a public spot in the village and will be available to all at very low prices. “Recognising that banned Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that are lethal to vultures are used for treating mastitis, pain, and inflammation in cattle, we introduced a vulture safe first-aid kit in a remote village. The kit contains safer alternatives, such as Meloxicam and traditional medicine prepared by YourFarm, thereby preventing contamination of the vulture food chain,” said Mr. Bharathidasan. On Monday, the launch event brought together 33 local livestock owners and V. Balakrishnan, Joint Director of the Regional Animal Husbandry Department in the Nilgiris. The core message was loud and clear: illegal drugs like Aceclofenac, Ketoprofen, and Nimesulide must be avoided as they cause death among vultures. Mr. Balakrishnan stressed the importance of Thengumarahada village for ecology and warned that banned drug use remains a big threat. He said ongoing public education is key. The livestock owners showed impressive eagerness to use these special kits, promising a bright future for both their cattle and the soaring vultures. Arulagam plans to keep a close eye on this initiative. If successful, the scheme will spread to other crucial villages in the district. The goal? To completely stop banned NSAIDs and save fragile vulture populations in the region. What started as a small village effort could soon turn into a mighty conservation movement! This initiative is a shining example of how simple actions can create big waves for wildlife and human wellbeing alike.