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Articles
Save the Vulture:
Save the Ecosystem
A School Project by Sonali Patnaik,
Shalini Das, Manisha Bhaskaran and Shubhankar Sharma
(Guide Teacher : Mr. B.B.Mathur, Delhi Public School, Rourkela)
Introduction:
 Bio-diversity refers to genes species and ecosystem of a region. It refers to
the relationship between the species and their habitats. Species are the
distinct units of diversity. Each species plays a unique role in ecosystem.
Vultures are one such species which plays a very important role in protecting
the bio-diversity.
Vultures are the scavenging birds. They feed mostly on the carcasses of animals.
Vultures do not kill animals but by consuming the dead animals, they keep the
environment clean. Thus, the vultures prevent spread of dangerous diseases like
rabies and anthrax, which could play havoc to the wildlife, like stocks and
humane. In the absence of any alternative mode of disposal of animals carcasses,
they continue to be disposed off in the open. Thus leading to increased risk of
rabies and live stock born diseases like anthrax.
The vulture play a very important role in protecting the traditional customs of
parsis. The parsis place their dead in ‘Tower of silence’ for vultures to feed
upon. Each species of vulture is adapted to feed on particular part of dead
animals. this prevents competition between vultures species in places where
their ranges overlap.
Thus the vultures play a key ecological role in our bio-diversity. Any threat to
biodiversity posses immense threat to the survival and, well being of mankind.
However, to day our bio-diversity is facing a typical problem – that is the
rapid decline in the vulture population, The scientists, environmentalist are
concerned with finding out the causes of rapid decline of vulture population and
the ways to overcome the problem so as to protect the bio-diversity from any
danger on account of the rapid decline of vulture population.
Objective
 Almost two decade ago, the vulture
were found in plenty near cities, towns, villages, open area, scrubby jungles
and scattered tall trees. However in 80’s the gradual decline in vulture
population was observed by the environmentalists. The decline of vulture
population started assuming alarming proportion. Today these scavenging bird are
hardly seen at the places where they were seen in large numbers. So the
scientists world over have focused their attention to protect and preserve this
important species playing a vital role for the mankind.
The important characteristics of vultures are. They are large sized bird having
a wingspan of about 3 meters. and weight about 10 kgs. The vultures have bald
head, and hooked the blade and neck of the vulture allows the head to be pushed
inside the carcass without getting the feather bloody and messy.
The vultures have such weak bills that their food must be partly rotted before
they can tear the flesh. The vultures are gregarious birds with groups perching
for long period around the feeding areas. They feed entirely on the carrion by
way of scavenging for carcasses by soaring. A flock of vultures can clean a
carcasses of dead bullock within 30 to 40 minutes. Thus the vultures help
cleaning the vicinity from the dirt and danger of any epidemic breaking out due
to the dead bodies of animals laying around.
India has nine species of vultures in the wild. These are :
1. White backed vultures - Gyps bengalensis
2. Slender billed vultures - Gyps tenuirostris
3. Long billed vultures - Gyps indicus
4. Egyptian vultures - Neophron percnopterus
5. Red headed vultures - Sarcogyps calvus
6. Indian Griffon vulture - Gyps fulvus
7. Himalayan Griffon - Gyps himalayenisic
8. Cinereous Vultures - Aegypins monachus
9. Bearded vultures - Gypaotus barbatus or Lammergeier
The population of three species of
like white backed vultures, slender billed vultures in the wild has been
declined drastically over the past decade. The decline of gyps genus in India
has been put at 97% by 2005.
Project Area
This projects is confined to the district of Sundargarh with special reference
to the city of Rourkela.
Field study was conducted on different dates and concerned authorities, persons
and veterinary doctors were contacted to ascertain their views regarding the
existence & extinction of vultures in Rourkela.
We have a telephonic conversation with Mrs. Binodini Devi, Municipality
Councilor on dt. 10-08-07 on the topic of vultures and she expressed her
inability to discuss on the topic as she has not seen vultures in and around
Rourkela, since her coming to Rourkela.
On 10th August 2007, Dr. Manoranjan Dash Health Officer, Rourkela Municipality
mentioned that the dead animals as and when found anywhere in the city
immediately taken to a particular place and buried their. This is done to
prevent decomposition of the dead bodies and consequent health hazards. Dr Das
also said that vultures community are not seen for the last 30 years in Rourkela
and he even jested with us.
On 9th Sept’07 we had discussed with Mr. Ajit Swain a resident of sector-16,
steel township, Rourkela for the last three decades stated that he had seen
vultures during the early 90’s in his locality – eating’s carcasses of animals.
Now a days the vultures are not visible in his locality.
During our field study on 9th Sept’07 we had visited a very old khattal (Cow
shed) of the steel township. Mr. Upendra, Mr. Sitaram, Mr. Madhusudan Yadav who
migrated from Bihar to the steel city some 40 years back and during milk
business started that, they were throwing the dead cows on the vast open field
adjacent to their shed, which were eaten by large number of vultures available
then till 90’s. The Yadav family stated that the vast open field is now being
cultivated and has become paddy growing field. Hence they lack any such
facilities of throwing dead cows. Moreover, such throwing of dead animals in the
steel city has been prohibited. In addition to that Yadav’s family pointed out
that the administering of some medicines to the cattle these days are
responsible for killing the vultures.
We visited Dr Avijit Biswas, Veterinary doctor, Indira Gandhi Park, Zoo. He
opined that as per his experience the extinction of vulture is mainly due to
diclofence medicines given to the cattle and the carcasses of such cattle’s are
consumed by the vultures, he stated that though Diclofenac medicine has been
banned and instead Maloxican has been recommended as the alternative medicine,
this ban has not been implemented in total.
To gather further knowledge and insight on the subject, Nandankakan Zoo was
visited on 30th May ’07 and 1st June ’07. Nandankanan Zoo happens to be one of
the captive breeding center for vulture in India. There Dr. P. Kar Senior
Veterinary Officer, Nandankanan Zoo also mention the effect of Diclofence
medicine is the major cause for the decline of vulture population.
Mr Arun Kumar Mishra, Administrative Officer of Nandankanan Zoo expressed
happiness that Nandankanan Zoo has been selected as one of the six captive
vulture breeding centre in India for protection of vultures.
The District forest officer of Sundergarh district Mr Murgasson stated that
vultures are not seen either in the forest of Sundargarh or in the district for
last 10 years.
Methology
Findings
Scientist, Veterinarians studying the
carcasses of rapid decline of vulture population world over have not been able
to find any single reasons for such a decline. However their analysis have
thrown important lights on various causes responsible for the rapid decline. The
some are analyzed below:
1.
Use of Veterinary Drugs:
Diclofenac drug is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. This medicine was
introduced in Indian Market in 1980’s. It is by far the most commonly available
veterinary pain killer in India. Exposure of vultures to Diclofenac is presumed
to occur to the consumption of carcasses of live stock that have been treated
with Diclofenac can cause kidney failure and liver diseases. A study on
experiment with some of the dead vultures of Diclofenac is their kidney.
2. General Environmental Condition:
Environmental contaminants have been seen known to cause heavy mortality in
vultures and raptor populations. Pesticides and insecticides causes
environmental contamination and death of vultures. There is wide spread use of
chemicals / poison in water sources which is a potential source of
contamination.
3. Deliberate Poisoning of Carnivores Leading
to Secondary Poisoning of Vultures:
Deliberate or accidental poisoning have a significant impact on raptor
populations, communal feeders such as vultures can be affected by such poisoning
to obtain hides is a common phenomenon and may result in vultures being exposed
to contaminated carcasses.
4.
Low Food Availability:
Carcasses are the main food supplement to the vultures. The practice of dumping
carcasses in the open was a predominant form of a disposal, now such practices
has almost disappeared. Hence a gradual reduction of available food on the form
of carcasses may be another cause of vulture population crash.
5. Exploitation and Persecution:
Vulture body parts in traditional medicine has led to exploitation, persecution
of vulture for preparation of traditional medicine.
6. Transport, Infrastructure and Recreation:
Collision of vultures with flying air crafts were a serious prior to the
significant decline of vultures population. Though the number of vultures dying
due to such collision may be less, but to avoid air crash, shooting and
poisoning of vultures near airfields have led impact on vulture population. The
collisions of vultures with automobiles, trains, power lines is another factor
contributing to the death of vultures. It has also been reported that vulture
deaths have occurred during the kite flying festivals observed in different
parts of India.
7. Infectious Diseases:
The postmortem findings of many
vultures carcasses have shown death due to visceral gout. Visceral gout is an
accumulation of uric acid within the tissue and on the surface of internal
organs. Visceral gout is caused by renal failure, which is known to occur as a
result of metabolic infections or toxic diseases. Sick vultures in India become
increasingly weak over days or weak before death and are seen to head droop /
neck drooping as they become further incapacitated. The presence of an
infections disease or avian influenza virus is another major cause of large
scale death of vultures.
8. Loss of Nesting Habitat:
The nesting habitats of vultures are affected by disturbances like cutting of
trees, interference by the mankind and the natures furry. The large scale
destruction of trees providing shelter to the vultures occurred during the 80’s
prior to the awareness about the environmental impact. Super cyclones in Orissa,
earth quakes and tsunami created havoc for the mankind and also vulture’s
populations. So such natural phenomena also contribute to the rapid decline of
vulture population.
Data Analysis:
The rapid decline and extinction of vulture population was first recorded at the
Keolodeo Ghana National Park, Rajasthan during mid 1980’s to mid 1990’s followed
by northern India road counts. This led to carry out survey at identified
location throughout the country. This annual nation wide vulture survey were
done to get an idea of the status of vulture population.
Data on vulture population changes across wider area of northern India in
1992-93 the repeat survey carried out during 2002-03. The survey pointed out
99.7% decline in Gyps bengalensis (white backed) during the period 1992-2003.
Gyps indicns (long billed vulture) Gyps tenuirostris (slender billed vulture)
declined to the extent of 97.4% during the period. That is estimated note of
decline of Gyps bengalensis was 34% per year. The estimated rate of decline of
Gyps indicus and gyps tenuirostries was 27% per year. The most recent census
carried out in 2002-03 indicate a much rapid decline of 81% per gyps
bengalenasis, 59% decline in Gyps indicus, and 47% decline in gyps tenuuirotris,
the surveys provide evidence about the decline only in the three resident gyps
species.
In India, the initial hypothesis for the drastic decline population were non
–availability of food or an unknown viral epidemic disease. The former was
clearly not the case. The investigation on hypothesis of epidemic disease were
carried out by BNHS, IVRI and other institutions in association with researchers
working aboard on the issue. Visceral gout, an accumulation of uric acid within
tissues and on the surfaces of internal organs was observed in 85% of dead
vulture found. Death was caused by renal failure, which is known to occur as a
result of metabolic, infection or toxic disease.
Analysis of samples of the dead vultures during 2002-03 showed 21 cases of Avian
gout while 17 samples did not exhibit Avain gout, Mircobiological studies that
is Virus isolation, Electron Microscopy, Molecular biology, Bacteriology and
Transmissibility all gave negative results.
Scientist / biologists have found a strong positive correlation between presence
of diclofenac in the tissues of vulture and occurrence of visceral as gout. The
concentration of diclofenac as low as 0.22 mg / gm of body weight was found to
be lethal to vultures. The drug diclofenac was introduced in late 80’s as
veterinary drug and widely available at a cheap rate across the country. This
medicine considered to be very effective and hence has captured 5% and Rs. 20/-
crores medicine of total veterinary market. This has led to wide spread and
intensive use as medicine for the cattle’s. Hence it has been scientifically
concluded that only 0.4% cattle carcasses need to have lethal level of
diclofenac to cause the crash in vulture population witnessed in gyps species of
vulture in India.
The drug extracted from tissues like kidney, liver and muscles of the vultures
and examined at National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Training,
Mohali, Hariyana, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institutes of Technology Pillani
have confirmed 72% of the vultures had detectable diclofenac in the tissues.
The cattle tissues were randomly collected for different parts of the country
and extracts from the tissues have been analyzed at various laboratories
mentioned above. It showed more than 10% of the cattle tissue samples had
diclofenac residue.
Between 2002-04 it was observed that 72% of 15 white backed vultures and 13 long
billed vultures from the wild has visceral gout, 14 gout and non gout cases were
analyses for the presence of diclofenac. All the 14 gout cases have presence of
Diclofenac. This led to the conclusion of perfect 100% correlation between gout
caused by diclofenac. Out of 700 and tested sample collected from eastern,
western, central and north India about 84 cases or 12% were found to contain
some level of diclofenac. These findings sufficiently explained the causes of
observed decline of vulture population. This also proved that very low rate of
carcasses contamination can drive to massive decline of vultures. Survey results
indicate that diclofenac prevalence in western India is more than 5% in cattle
carcasses. This is sufficient to observe declines
Conclusion
The importance of vultures in protecting our biodiversity is well known to the
mankind. Vultures are scavenging bird they clean the environment by removing the
carcasses. This nature of job voluntarily performed by the vultures since ages
has helped in reducing epidemics like rabies and anthrax.
Vultures are given highest priority by the Parsi community as they dispose of
the tower of silence. Hence vultures are vital necessity and part of religious
requirement for the Parsi religion.
The decline of vulture population has posed a greatest threat to the Parsi
community.
The sudden disappearance of vultures during the last two decades has been a
cause of concern to the environmentalists. New awareness has been created to
study the reasons of decline and protect the scavenging birds, the government,
NGO’s and private institution have come together to spread awareness on the role
played by the vulture in protecting ecosystem and the mankind since ages.
The scientist and environmentalists have so far found out certain reasons for
the decline in vulture population like use of diclofenac, poisonous medicine,
loss of nesting habits etc. Which is man made causes of decline. Hence awareness
has been created to know and remove the man made causes to stop further decline
in vulture population.
In addition to the above, certain proactive actions like establishing vulture
breeding and care center have been taken up to increase the vulture population.
Further research needs to be encouraged and financial support given to
organizations. Engaged in protecting, preserving and increasing the vulture
population. These actions will go long way in protecting our biodiversity and
mankind from the decline of vulture population.
Follow-up Action:
Vultures perform important functions in our ecosystem. They provide service to
mankind from potential health risks posed by decomposing live stock carcasses.
So it is the responsibility of all concern to protect and prevent the
disappearances of vultures in India.
To preserve and protest these endangered species by taking the following
actions.
-
Ban Diclofenac Use Meloxicam
Drug
It is essential to recognize the impact of diclofenac on the decline of
vulture population. The pharmaceuticals industry should be made aware of the
adverse effect of these medicine on vultures. This medicine should be
completely stopped from being manufactured as a veterinary medicine. In its
place Meloxicans drug would help. Conservation of vultures.
-
Awareness and Educational
Campaign
Rural and village based veterinary doctors be made aware through campaigns,
regarding the impact of Diclofenac an vulture population. This campaign
should reach out to the grass root level. Non-Government organization (NGO’s)
to be involved in such campaign.
-
Establishment of Captive
Vulture Care / Breeding Center
A network of captive vulture care and management center to be established in
different zones in India, to maintain a healthy population of vultures. This
will prevent all vultures being affected by diclofenac or other reasons for
their decline.
Captive vulture breeding centers should be established in different region
of the country for vulture care and their population increase.
Vulture breeding and conservation center established at Pinjore, Hariyana in
2001 Buxa in West Bengal in 2005, Four more centers, Nandankakan in Orissa,
Bhopal in Madhya Pardesh, Hyderabad in Andhra Pardesh, Junagarh has been
established in 2006-07, These ex-sites conservation center worked for
captive breeding followed by re-introduction in wild.
-
Analysis of Sick Vulture
Specimen
Recognized institution to be established to collect and send the sick
vultures to their laboratory or other laboratory for analysis and
identification of the factors and sickness of the mortality.
- Monitoring of Vulture Population
It is essential to establish agencies to continue survey and monitor in
different regions to study the vulture population decline and their
recovery.
It is necessary to identify the potential and strong hold vulture population
in each state in India. To develop a plan to protect and manage the vulture.
The protection and management should include awareness drive not to use
diclofenac in the live stock sector.
March 30, 2008
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