Vultures are large scavenging birds of prey known for feeding primarily on carrion (dead animals). They play a critical role in ecosystems by cleaning up carcasses, which helps prevent the spread of diseases. Vultures are characterized by their bald heads, hooked beaks, and keen eyesight, which allows them to spot food from great distances.

In India, there are 9 species of vultures found, belonging to two main groups:

1. Resident Species (7 species found in India):

1. White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis)
2. Indian Vulture (Gyps indicus)
3. Slender-billed Vulture (Gyps tenuirostris)
4. Himalayan Griffon (Gyps himalayensis)
5. Red-headed Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus)
6. Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus)
7. Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus)

2. Migratory Species (2 species seen in India seasonally):

1. Eurasian Griffon (Gyps fulvus)
2. Bearded Vulture (Lammergeier) (Gypaetus barbatus)

Several of these species are critically endangered, primarily due to the use of the veterinary drug diclofenac, habitat loss, and reduced food availability. Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect these vital scavengers.

Role of vultures in maintaining our ecosystem

Vultures play crucial roles in maintaining the balance of ecosystems due to their scavenger habits and unique ecological functions.

• Carcass Cleanup: Vultures are nature's clean-up crew, feeding on the remains of dead animals. This helps prevent the spread of disease by removing decaying carcasses, which can harbour bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
• Disease Prevention: By consuming carcasses, vultures reduce the chances of disease outbreaks among other wildlife and humans. Their highly acidic stomachs kill harmful pathogens, making them one of nature's natural disinfectants.
• Nutrient Recycling: Vultures help recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem. When they eat carrion, they break down and decompose organic matter, enriching the soil with valuable nutrients.
• Preventing Overpopulation: Vultures help control animal populations indirectly. By removing carcasses, they reduce the risk of scavengers like rodents or smaller carnivores thriving on excess dead animals, preventing overpopulation.
• Indicator Species: Because vultures are sensitive to environmental changes, their population health can indicate the status of the ecosystem. A decline in vulture numbers often signals problems like habitat destruction or the use of toxic substances.

Vultures help maintain the health of ecosystems by cleaning up carcasses, preventing disease, recycling nutrients, and serving as a barometer for ecological well-being.

Alarming decline in vulture populations

The alarming decline of several vulture species across South Asia, particularly in India, has been driven by a combination of factors:

Poisoning by Diclofenac:

One of the primary reasons for the vulture decline is the widespread use of the veterinary drug diclofenac, which is toxic to vultures. When cattle are treated with diclofenac and die, vultures feeding on the carcasses ingest the drug and suffer kidney failure, leading to rapid population decline.

Poisoning by Nimesulfide:

The long-awaited ban on nimesulide is now officially in place in India after scientific researches confirmed its toxic impact on the endangered vultures. Nimesulide, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) is widely used to relieve pain and inflammation. It not only impacts vultures but is also not suitable for adminstration in humans. The drug was found to be toxic to the kidneys of vultures, resulting in severe health issues and a significant decline in their population As part of efforts to protect vultures and other wildlife, regulatory authorities in India began taking steps to limit the use of Nimesulide, especially in veterinary medicine. This was one of the factors that contributed to the eventual ban on the drug in the country. Nimesulide, when administered to livestock, was detected in their carcasses. Vultures, which scavenge on animal remains, were inadvertently ingesting the drug.

These birds play a crucial ecological role by cleaning up animal carcasses, thus preventing the spread of disease. Their decline had negative repercussions on biodiversity and ecosystems.

Habitat Loss: 

Vultures also face habitat destruction due to human encroachment, land-use changes, and the decline of open, undisturbed areas where they can breed and forage.

Food Scarcity: 

Vultures rely on carcasses for food, but the decline in the number of large animals and the practice of burying carcasses reduce available food sources. Additionally, increasing cattle and buffalo slaughter for meat has decreased the natural supply of carcasses.

Electrocution: 

Vultures often perch on power lines, leading to electrocution, which is another threat to their population.

Human Persecution: 

In some regions, vultures have been killed deliberately or disturbed due to their association with death and decay, leading to cultural perceptions that may contribute to their population decline.

Conservation efforts, such as banning diclofenac, establishing vulture-safe zones, and promoting alternative veterinary medicines, have been undertaken to help address these threats.

Several countries have witnessed alarming declines in vulture populations, mainly due to habitat loss, poisoning, and a lack of food sources. Key countries and regions include:

• India: India has seen a dramatic decline in vulture populations, particularly among species like the Indian vulture, white-rumped vulture, and slender-billed vulture. The main factor has been the use of the veterinary drug diclofenac, which is toxic to vultures when they feed on livestock carcasses treated with it.
• Pakistan: Vultures in Pakistan, particularly the Indian vulture and white-rumped vulture, have also suffered population crashes. The use of diclofenac, alongside habitat loss, has contributed to this decline.
• Nepal: Nepal, like India and Pakistan, has seen a sharp drop in vulture numbers, especially the white-rumped vulture. The impact of diclofenac use, as well as habitat degradation, has played a role.
• Bangladesh: Vulture populations, particularly the white-rumped vulture, are critically endangered in Bangladesh, largely due to the same threats faced by neighboring countries.
• African countries (e.g., Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa): Vultures across much of sub-Saharan Africa are in decline due to poisoning (from poisoning of carcasses to kill predators), poaching, habitat loss, and a decrease in the availability of carrion.
• Thailand: Vultures in Southeast Asia, particularly the Thai vulture species, are threatened by habitat loss and scarcity of food.

The decline of vultures poses ecological challenges since they play a crucial role in cleaning up carcasses, thereby preventing the spread of disease. Conservation efforts, including banning harmful veterinary drugs, protecting habitats, and establishing safe feeding sites, are ongoing in many of these regions.

.    .    .