How the Vanishing Vultures of India Triggered a 5,00,000-Death Health Disaster

India's once-abundant vulture population, vital for scavenging and sanitation, has plummeted dramatically over the past two decades.

Historically prevalent, vultures hovered over landfills and occasionally caused jet engine issues at airports. However, the vulture population, which numbered around 50 million in the 1990s, has dwindled to near extinction due to the widespread use of diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used in cattle that is lethal to vultures.

By the mid-1990s, diclofenac caused severe kidney failure in vultures consuming treated carcasses. Despite a 2006 ban on its veterinary use, the decline of vulture populations—by 91-98% for several species—continues, as detailed in the latest State of India's Birds report.

Image Source: Raymond Loyal

The crisis has led to unexpected human health repercussions. A recent study published in the American Economic Association journal reveals that the vulture collapse has contributed to a significant public health crisis.

Without vultures to clean up dead animals, bacteria and pathogens proliferated, causing an estimated 5,00,000 additional human deaths over five years.

The study, led by Eyal Frank of the University of Chicago and Anant Sudarshan of the University of Warwick, found that human death rates increased by over 4% in districts previously rich in vultures. The rise in anti-inflammatory drug use and the collapse of vulture populations coincided with a surge in rabies cases and higher levels of fecal bacteria in drinking water. The economic impact of these additional deaths has been estimated at $69 billion annually.

Image Source: India Times

While efforts to rehabilitate vultures are underway, including the release of captive-bred vultures and ongoing surveys, challenges remain. Veterinary drugs, habitat loss, and competition from feral dogs continue to threaten vulture populations.

The situation highlights the broader impact of species loss on human health and underscores the urgent need for continued conservation efforts.