Over 100,000 Indians Die Each Year Due to Vanishing Vultures

The Economic Cost is $69.4 Billion Annually, Suggests a Study

Newsreel Asia Insight #293
July 26, 2024

The decline of vulture populations in India, caused by the common use of the painkiller diclofenac in livestock, has resulted in an average death rate increase of 4.7% and economic losses estimated at $69.4 billion each year, according to a report published by the American Economic Association journal.

Diclofenac, the painkiller used in livestock, is primarily administered to alleviate pain and inflammation in animals, similar to its use in humans. This medication is particularly common in veterinary practices because it effectively treats ailments such as fever, joint pain and various inflammatory conditions in cattle and other livestock. Its widespread use arises from its affordability and availability, especially following the expiration of its patent, which led to the production of cheaper generic versions. However, while beneficial for livestock health, its unintended consequences on vultures, which die after consuming the carcasses of treated animals, have led to significant ecological disruptions.

India is faced with the “functional extinction” of vultures, which means that while the vultures are not completely extinct, their numbers are too low to perform their ecological role effectively, according to the study, titled “The Social Costs of Keystone Species Collapse: Evidence From The Decline of Vultures in India.”

Vultures play a major role in maintaining the health of ecosystems by acting as natural sanitisers. They quickly and efficiently consume dead animals, preventing the spread of diseases that could occur if carcasses were left to decay naturally. With the reduction in vulture numbers, these carcasses remain exposed longer, attracting less efficient scavengers such as dogs and rats, which are more likely to carry and transmit diseases to humans.

If carcasses are left to rot, they can cause several health problems. They can breed bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli, which might pollute water and soil. Carcasses also attract insects like flies and mosquitoes that can carry diseases such as West Nile virus. Animals eating from these carcasses can spread rabies, and spores from diseases like anthrax in the soil can infect other animals. Furthermore, rotting carcasses can lead to parasitic infections and release harmful substances into the environment, affecting water and soil quality. Vultures help prevent these issues by eating dead animals quickly before they become a source of disease.

Research has shown that regions previously served by healthy vulture populations have seen an increase in death rates by an average of 4.7% following the birds’ decline, says the report. This increase in mortality is largely attributed to the deterioration in natural sanitation and the subsequent rise in disease carriers. The estimated impact translates to about 104,386 additional deaths annually across the affected regions.

The economic consequences of the vulture decline are profound, with damages estimated at $69.4 billion per year, according to the report, which explains that it includes healthcare costs and losses in productivity due to the spread of infectious diseases.

Despite efforts to ban diclofenac and promote vulture conservation, challenges such as enforcement and continued illicit use of the drug persist, the report notes, adding that the situation is further complicated by the cultural practices and economic conditions that discourage alternative disposal methods for livestock carcasses, such as deep burial or incineration, which are either labour-intensive or costly.

An alternative to diclofenac that is safer for vultures is meloxicam. Meloxicam is another non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat similar conditions in livestock, such as pain and inflammation, but crucially, it does not pose the same risks to the vulture populations.

The research indicates that investing in conservation efforts for keystone species yields high returns by preventing significant economic damages and supporting public health. Keystone species, such as vultures, are vital for maintaining the health and balance of their environment. To protect these essential animals, several steps can be taken.

Apart from implementing the ban on harmful drugs like diclofenac, safe areas can be created where vultures can live and breed without threats. Conservation programs can also involve raising vultures in special breeding centres and then releasing them back into the wild to boost their numbers.