Painkiller used in cattle wiped out India's vultures, led to 500k human deaths

The widespread use of the painkiller diclofenac in cattle during the 1990s has led to a catastrophic decline in India's vulture population, which plummeted from 50 million to just a few thousand. This decline has had dire consequences for public health, contributing to an estimated 500,000 human deaths and significant economic losses, totaling around $69 billion annually. Vultures, as keystone species, played a crucial role in the ecosystem by efficiently consuming animal carcasses, thus preventing the spread of diseases. The absence of vultures has resulted in increased carcass disposal in water bodies, leading to pollution and the proliferation of disease vectors like feral dogs, which have contributed to India's status as the largest rabies center globally. Although diclofenac was banned for veterinary use in 2006, enforcement remains weak, and experts emphasize the urgent need for conservation efforts to restore vulture populations. They suggest that while building incinerators for carcass disposal is an alternative, it is costly and environmentally detrimental. The authors of a recent study advocate for a reevaluation of conservation priorities, highlighting the significant health and economic implications of losing vultures. They stress the importance of protecting all wildlife, not just those that are traditionally viewed as attractive, to maintain ecosystem balance and safeguard human health.