The decline began in 1994 when the veterinary drug diclofenac, used to treat livestock, was found to be toxic to vultures. The drug caused kidney damage in these birds, significantly reducing their population.
Vultures play a crucial role in India by consuming dead animals, preventing the spread of pathogens. As vulture numbers decreased, carcasses started accumulating, leading to an increase in disease-spreading pathogens. The Indian government tried to manage the situation using chemicals, but these often ended up contaminating rivers.
The buildup of dead animals also attracted dogs, which further spread diseases. A study comparing human death rates before and after 1994 found a 4% increase in mortality after the decline in vulture populations. This rise was linked to approximately 500,000 additional human deaths between 2000 and 2005.
Eyal Frank, an assistant professor at the University of Chicago's Harris School of Public Policy and co-author of the study, highlighted the crucial role of vultures: "Vultures are considered nature’s sanitation service because of the important role they play in removing dead animals that contain bacteria and pathogens from our environment - without them, disease can spread."
Frank emphasized the importance of protecting all wildlife, not just the charismatic species: “Understanding the role vultures play in human health underscores the importance of protecting wildlife. They all have a job to do in our ecosystems that impacts our lives.”
The study, co-authored with Anant Sudarshan, also revealed that the decline in vultures led to an increase in rabies vaccine sales, as more dogs, which often carry rabies, began feeding on the carcasses. This problem was especially severe in urban areas where garbage and carcass dumping were common.
Overall, the loss of vultures between 2000 and 2005 contributed to around 100,000 additional human deaths annually, resulting in over $70 billion in economic damages.
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