R.K.Bhardwaj and Divyansh Pandey
The first Saturday of September of every year is celebrated as International Vulture Awareness Day worldwide. A global event that brings together conservationists, bird enthusiasts, families, and other organizations to appreciate the role ofvultures in the ecosystem. A perfect time to reflect on the critical role these misunderstood birds play in our ecosystem. As a veterinarian and wildlife expert, we have seen at first hand the devastating impact of their declining population and the urgent need for their conservation. Vultures are nature's most efficient sanitation workers, silently and swiftly clearing our landscapes of animal carcasses. This vital service is not just for show; it's a cornerstone of public health and ecological balance.
India is home to nine species of vultures, but unfortunately most of them face the danger of extinction. India's vulture populations have been on a catastrophic decline. The data is alarming. The populations of three of India's most common vulture species have declined rapidly: the white-rumped vulture dropped by a staggering 98%, the Indian vulture by 95%, and the red-headed vulture by 91% according to a nationwide survey by Bombay Natural History Society & Wildlife Institute of India in the early 2000s. The primary culprit was found to be widespread use of a veterinary drug: diclofenac in the livestock. This non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) was commonly administered to livestock to ease pain and fever. The silent killer lay dormant in the carcasses of treated animals. When vultures scavenged on these remains, they ingested the toxic residue, which led to acute kidney failure resulting insevere visceral gout and a swift, agonizing death.
In response to this ecological crisis, the Indian government took a monumental step by banning the veterinary use of diclofenac in 2006. Since then, other harmful NSAIDs like Ketoprofen and Nimesulide have also been banned later. The ban reduced, but did not eliminate, the usage of diclofenac as only large multi dose vials for veterinary use are being banned but small vials are still available for human use. A small percentage of livestock carcasses (1-5% depending on the State) still contained traces of this deadly drug many years after the ban according to the State of India's Birds report 2023 indicating the ongoing illegal use of banned drug in livestock by the farmers themselves or by some quacks.
The loss of these magnificent birds created a vacuum with grave consequences. The unintentional decimation of these scavenging birds allowed deadly bacteria and infections to proliferate, leading to the deaths of about half a million people over five years, says the study published in the American Economic Association Journal. The economic loss was estimated to be nearly $70 billion a year. With vultures no longer cleaning up carcasses, dead animals were left to rot, creating a public sanitation crisis. This posed a significant risk of spreading diseases, contaminating soil and water resources, and attracting other opportunistic scavengers. Vultures acts as a natural incinerator. Without them, diseases like anthrax, brucellosis, and tuberculosis can persist in the environment. These diseases can then be transmitted to other animals and, critically, to humans. For example, anthrax spores can remain viable in the soil for decades, posing a long-term risk. Decomposing carcasses release bodily fluids and bacteria that can leach into the soil and groundwater. This contamination can affect local water sources used for drinking and agriculture. The high nutrient load from the decaying matter can also lead to the proliferation of harmful bacteria and algae in water bodies, affecting both human and animal health. One of the most dangerous consequences was the proliferation of feral dog populations. The population of feral dogs in India increased by at least 5 million, resulting in an estimated 38 million additional dog bites and over 47,000 extra deaths from rabies. Because with an abundance of carcasses, their numbers exploded, leading to an increased risk of rabies transmission, dog-related injuries to humans and risk of other zoonotic diseases like Echinococcosis, Leptospirosis, Toxocariasis, salmonellosis etc for humans and significant increase in the risk of rabies and canine distemperinwild carnivores such as tiger, leopard, lion etc.
In addition to the immediate threat of diclofenac, other environmental factors like climate change and deforestation also pose a significant long-term risk to vulture populations. Heavy metal pollution, emanating from mining of metallic ores, refineries for metals, and thermal power plants, is also known to adversely affect birds. Plastics are coming under increasing scrutiny for causing direct deaths of birds or for their potential (in microplastic form) to affect their physiology and survival. We therefore need to understand 'pollutants' in a broad sense, including pesticides, rodenticides, heavy metals, certain medical drugs, and plastics. Climate change can alter habitats and reduce prey availability, forcing vultures to migrate or face starvation. Deforestation, on the other hand, destroys their nesting sites and roosting areas, which are crucial for breeding and survival. A report by the World Bank estimates 41% of India's forest cover to be in a degraded state, resulting in a possible loss of one-third of its forest productivity. These broader ecological challenges amplify the existing threats and highlight the need for a comprehensive conservation strategy. The WHO references recent studies that estimate that more than 75 per centof emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic-think COVID-19, Monkey pox virus, Nipah virus, Avian influenza . These diseases, which jump from animals to humans, often arise in areas where ecosystems and habitats have been disrupted by deforestation, Human interference in the wild ecosystem, land-use changes & Human-animal conflicts.
Solutions for Vulture Conservation
Combating this multifaceted crisis requires a multi-pronged approach involving both authorities and the community.
What Authorities Can Do
4Enforce the Ban: The government must ensure a strict and effective enforcement of the ban on diclofenac and other harmful NSAIDs in veterinary practice. Regular monitoring of drug use in livestock and strictly penalizing violators is crucial.
4Promote Safe Alternatives: Authorities should actively promote the use of safe, vulture-friendly alternatives like meloxicam&Tolfenamic acid, by making them more accessible and affordable for farmers and veterinarians.
4Establish Vulture Safe Zones: The creation of designated "Vulture Safe Zones" where the use of harmful drugs is completely eliminated and zone free from Human activities such as mining, Garbage dumbing etc. to provides a secure environment for vultures to forage and thrive. These safe zones are intended to be the future release sites for captive-bred birds, ensuring they have a secure environment to thrive in the wild.
4Support Conservation Breeding Centers: Continued funding and support for conservation breeding centers are vital. These centers, like the one in Pinjore, have been instrumental in breeding critically endangered species in captivity and are now preparing to reintroduce them into the wild. . Vultures are slow breeders, and therefore in situ conservation measures will need to be supplemented by continued efforts towards ex situ interventions in breeding centres, creating a stock that can be gradually released to supplement wild populations under the right conditions.
What We As a Community Can Do
4Awareness and Education: The most powerful tool we have is awareness. We need to educate ourselves, our families, and especially our children about the importance of vultures. We can start by challenging the negative stereotypes associated with these birds and highlighting their role as nature's clean-up crew.
4Responsible Livestock Management: Farmers and livestock owners can play a direct role by ensuring they only use approved, vulture-safe drugs for their animals and by responsibly disposing of carcasses.
4Support Conservation Efforts: Contributing to or volunteering with organizations like the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Nature conservation foundation, Wildlife trust of India, National Biodiversity authority of India and other conservation groups working on vulture protection can make a tangible difference.
A New Generation of Vulture Guardians
Engaging children is key to long-term success. By introducing them to the concept of vultures as "super-scavengers" and "eco-heroes" through interactive learning materials and activities, we can foster a new generation of conservationists. Let's make it a mission to teach our kids about the fascinating world of vultures and their indispensable role in maintaining a healthy planet.
Vulture conservation is not just about saving a species; it's about protecting ourselves and our environment. Their role in disease control and maintaining a clean ecosystem is irreplaceable. We must continue to support and advocate for safe alternatives to harmful drugs and raise awareness about the immense value of these incredible birds.
(The Authors R.K.Bhardwaj is Professor (Veterinary Medicine) and Divyansh Pandey is B.V.Sc & A.H student of F.V. Sc & A.H-R.S. Pura, SKUAST-Jammu)