Can Vultures Save India from the Next Health Crisis?

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India] April 12: Many people feel uncomfortable when they see vultures. They may seem scary or strange. But these birds play a very important role in nature. Vultures eat dead animals, which helps keep the environment clean. Without them, diseases would spread faster. In African countries like Botswana and Zambia, people are now learning how vultures silently help every day.

A Glimpse into History

Years ago, vultures were found in large numbers across Africa and India. But now, their population has dropped sharply. In India, when vultures disappeared, health problems increased. More people became sick due to germs from dead animals. This shows how important vultures are in our lives, even if we don’t notice them.

Worth More Than We Think

Some people think animals are only useful if they look nice. But experts say vultures are worth around $1.8 billion every year to southern Africa. They clean up dead animals in just a few hours. This stops pests like rats and wild dogs from coming, which makes life safer for people too. They even help rangers spot where poachers are active.

Nature’s Best Cleaners

Vultures have strong stomachs that can handle dangerous bacteria. They can eat meat infected with diseases like anthrax or botulism and stay healthy. This stops sickness from spreading to other animals or even humans. Just recently, over 50 hippos died from anthrax in Congo. Vultures can safely clean such messes, helping protect everyone.

Changing What People See

Many people fear vultures because of how they are shown in movies. Films often show them as evil or spooky. But groups like BirdLife International and VulPro in South Africa are working hard to change that image. These groups rescue injured vultures, teach kids about them, and try to protect them from danger. Slowly, people are starting to see their value and beauty.