Falling vulture population in India has led to over 500,000 deaths due to disease, highlighting the urgent need for conservation
A new study has found that time may be 'flying' out for vultures, nature's most efficient scavengers. As obligate scavengers, these birds of prey play a crucial part in cleaning up nature by feeding on carrion, garbage, and excrement, which prevents the spread of disease and bacteria, reduces carbon emissions, and eliminates stench. The urgency of this issue cannot be overstated.
In India, vulture populations nosedived in the 1990s, leading to their classification as critically endangered. Despite this, the future of these birds remains bleak, with severe repercussions for the country’s biodiversity, ecosystems, and human health.
The study reveals that between 2000 and 2005, more than 500,000 people died from diseases linked to excess carcasses, a consequence of the vultures' near-extinction. The primary cause was the ingestion of diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug toxic to vultures. This drug led to kidney failure, visceral gout, and death among the birds. The Indian government banned diclofenac in 2006.
The research, which will appear in an upcoming issue of the American Economic Review, estimates the annual monetary cost of this public health crisis at nearly $70 billion. Health economist Atheendar Venkataramani from the University of Pennsylvania praised the study, stating, "This [paper] will be a classic in the field. It's going to generate a lot of new science."
Conducted by Eyal G Frank and Anant Sudarshan, the study also highlights how government regulations, such as the mandatory use of chemicals by tanneries for waste disposal, led to toxic substances contaminating waterways. This underscores the vital role of environmental policies and the need for stricter regulations.
According to the report, human death rates in districts with a historically high vulture population increased by an average of 4.7 percent—equating to about 104,386 additional deaths per year—by the end of 2005. In contrast, areas without a significant vulture presence saw stable death rates of 0.9 percent. This study emphasises the critical importance of conserving species in their natural habitats to maintain ecological balance and protect human health.