Vultures and Pandemic Prevention

Why in the News?

Vultures, vital for carcass disposal and disease control, are key to pandemic preparedness.

About Vulture Species in India:

• Overview: Vultures are among 22 global species of large scavenger birds, found mostly in tropics and subtropics.
• Ecological Role: Serve as nature’s garbage collectors, preventing disease spread and maintaining balance in ecosystems.
• Indian Diversity: India hosts 9 species — Oriental white-backed, Long-billed, Slender-billed, Himalayan, Red-headed, Egyptian, Bearded, Cinereous, and Eurasian Griffon.

Distribution and Population Trends:

• Historic Abundance: In the 1980s, India had over 40 million vultures, often in large groups near carcass dumps.
• Population Crash: Since the 1990s, numbers have declined by over 95%, mainly due to diclofenac poisoning from veterinary use.
• Flyway Connection: Vultures are part of the Central Asian Flyway (CAF), linking breeding sites in Central Asia with South Asia’s wintering zones.
• Global Relevance: The CAF spans 30+ countries, making vulture conservation a regional and international public health concern.

Vultures and Pandemic Preparedness:

• Carcass Disposal: By consuming dead animals, vultures stop spread of pathogens such as anthrax, Clostridium botulinum, rabies.
• Bio-Monitor Role: As first responders at carcasses, they act as natural surveillance systems, reducing risks of zoonotic spillover.
• Conservation Gap: Protection of vultures is rarely included in One Health strategies, despite being low-cost compared to pandemic response.
• Community Involvement: Local communities coexisting with vultures can aid in awareness, conservation, and disease monitoring, but remain underutilised.