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Vultures Vanish, Dogs Rise: India's Deadly Domino Effect
29 Nov
Summary
- Vulture decline led to a massive surge in dog population.
- This caused an estimated 47,000 extra rabies deaths.
- Loss of vultures increased human mortality by over 4%.
The drastic decline of India's vulture population, once numbering in the millions, has unleashed a severe ecological imbalance. This collapse, primarily caused by the veterinary drug diclofenac, has seen their numbers shrink dramatically, leaving carcasses for an exploding population of free-ranging dogs. This shift has directly led to an estimated 47,000 additional rabies deaths and a significant increase in human mortality due to compromised sanitation.
Once efficient natural 'sanitary workers,' vultures played a crucial role in disposing of millions of dead cattle, preventing disease spread. Their near extinction has created a void, allowing dog populations to surge, leading to an alarming rise in dog bites and rabies transmission. This chain reaction underscores the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the profound impact of human actions on public health.
Efforts to reverse the damage include bans on toxic veterinary drugs and dog vaccination campaigns. However, the slow breeding rate of vultures and persistent threats like power lines pose ongoing challenges. The crisis serves as a stark warning about endangering species and the critical, often unseen, services they provide to human well-being.
