Decline of Vultures : A Warning for Ecosystems and Pandemics
Context
The sharp decline in vulture populations in India has drawn attention not only as a matter of biodiversity loss but also as a public health concern. Vultures, once numbering over 40 million, have seen a 95% population crash since the 1990s, largely due to the veterinary drug diclofenac. This decline threatens ecosystem balance and increases the risk of zoonotic spillovers, making vulture conservation a crucial part of pandemic preparedness.
What are Vultures?
- Definition – Large scavenging birds, related to hawks and eagles, with weaker claws and a usually bare head.
- Diet – Feed mainly on carrion (animal carcasses); the palm-nut vulture is an exception, feeding on oil palm fruit. Some species also prey on insects, lizards, smaller birds, and rodents.
- Adaptation – Bare heads prevent infection by keeping rotten flesh from sticking.
- Incubation – One mate per year; nests made of sticks and leaves in trees or cliffs, often reused.
- Ecological role – Prevent spread of diseases such as anthrax, rabies, botulism by clearing carcasses.
- Population decline – Over 95% fall since 1990s due to diclofenac use.
Ecological and Social Importance of Vultures
- Ecosystem health – Maintain balance by acting as nature’s clean-up crew.
- Disease control – Prevents transmission of pathogens from carcasses to animals and humans.
- Nutrient recycling – Return nutrients to the soil, promoting vegetation growth.
- Waste management – Provide a natural, cost-free, and eco-friendly method of carcass disposal.
- Support to livestock farmers – Reduce reliance on costly carcass disposal, insurance claims, and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Cultural significance – Feature in traditions, attract ecotourism, and generate income for local communities.
Vultures and Pandemic Preparedness
- Carcass management – Act as first responders at carcasses, reducing zoonotic spillover risk.
- Zoonotic disease prevention – Quick disposal of carcasses curbs spread of pathogens to humans.
- Regional/global linkages – Through the Central Asian Flyway (CAF), vultures connect ecosystems across 30+ countries, influencing disease risks beyond borders.
- Ecosystem surveillance – Serve as bio-monitors, aiding in early outbreak detection.
- Cost-effective strategy – Conservation measures (banning harmful drugs, safe zones) are low-cost, yet enhance systemic resilience against pandemics.
Strategies to Protect Vultures in India (Post-2025 Approach)
- Satellite Telemetry – Nationwide tracking of vulture habitats and spillover hotspots.
- Decision Support System (DSS) – Real-time integration of wildlife, livestock, and human health data.
- Cross-sector coordination – Adopting a One Health framework linking environmental, veterinary, and public health agencies.
- Transboundary collaboration – Strengthen partnerships under the CAF and Convention on Migratory Species to boost regional preparedness.
- Community stewardship – Engage local communities, women, and youth in surveillance and awareness.
Long-term vision – Embedding health security goals into the Vulture Action Plan, making conservation part of a resilience framework against pandemics.
Conclusion
The conservation of vultures is vital not just for saving a species but also for ensuring ecosystem health, public safety, and pandemic preparedness. Recognizing vultures as a natural shield against disease outbreaks and integrating them into national and global health strategies is essential. Local communities remain the backbone of conservation efforts, ensuring that the survival of vultures directly contributes to a safer and healthier future.
Source : The Hindu
