Vulture decline in India linked to human health crisis, study finds

In the mid-1990s, India’s vulture population reached near extinction, primarily due to the widespread use of diclofenac, a drug used to treat sick cattle.

Today, India’s remaining vulture populations are largely confined to protected areas. (Wikimedia Commons photo)

Once abundant across India, vultures played a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by scavenging on livestock carcasses. However, a dramatic decline in their numbers over the past two decades has had unforeseen consequences for both wildlife and human health.

In the mid-1990s, India’s vulture population of 50 million reached near extinction as per BBC, primarily due to the widespread use of diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat sick cattle.
Vultures consuming the carcasses of treated livestock suffered fatal kidney failure.

Despite a ban on diclofenac in veterinary medicine in 2006, the damage was profound, with certain vulture species experiencing long-term declines of 91-98%, according to the latest State of India’s Birds report.

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Human health impact

A new peer-reviewed study published in the American Economic Association Journal reveals that the vulture decline has had severe repercussions for human health. Researchers Eyal Frank of the University of Chicago and Anant Sudarshan of the University of Warwick found that the collapse of vulture populations led to a surge in diseases and deaths.

The absence of vultures, which acted as nature’s sanitation workers, allowed bacteria and pathogens to proliferate, causing approximately 100,000 additional human deaths annually between 2000 and 2005.

The damage due to diclofenac was profound, with certain vulture species experiencing long-term declines of 91-98%. (Wikimedia Commons photo)

The study compared human death rates and other health metrics in districts with formerly high vulture populations to those with historically low numbers. The results showed a 4% increase in death rates in areas where vultures once thrived.

The spread of diseases such as rabies, exacerbated by the rise in stray dog populations and poor waste management, contributed to this increase.

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The economic impact of these additional deaths was significant, estimated at over $69 billion per year in mortality damages.

Current status and future

Recent surveys show promising signs. 20 vultures were released in West Bengal, and over 300 were spotted in southern India. (Wikimedia Commons photo)

Today, India’s remaining vulture populations are largely confined to protected areas and feed primarily on wildlife rather than contaminated livestock. However, threats such as veterinary drugs, habitat loss, and competition from feral dogs continue to pose risks.

Efforts to restore vulture numbers include the release of captive-bred vultures into the wild and conservation initiatives focused on protecting remaining populations. Recent surveys have recorded some positive signs, including the release of 20 vultures in West Bengal and over 300 vultures in southern India.

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Yet, experts stress that continued action is necessary to ensure the survival and recovery of these vital scavengers. And not only for maintaining ecological balance but also for safeguarding human well-being!

(With inputs from BBC)

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