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Questions and Answers
What is the estimated population of vultures in India as of 2015?
What is the estimated population of vultures in India as of 2015?
Which group of vultures includes the majority of species that are threatened or endangered?
Which group of vultures includes the majority of species that are threatened or endangered?
What was the percentage increase in the all-cause death rate associated with the spike in dog population between 1992 and 2006?
What was the percentage increase in the all-cause death rate associated with the spike in dog population between 1992 and 2006?
What substance is identified as a contributor to vulture population decline in South Asia during the late 1990s?
What substance is identified as a contributor to vulture population decline in South Asia during the late 1990s?
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What action do poachers in Southern Africa take to harm vultures?
What action do poachers in Southern Africa take to harm vultures?
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What is a significant consequence of the vulture population decline observed in India since the 1980s?
What is a significant consequence of the vulture population decline observed in India since the 1980s?
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Which behavioral adaptation is particularly dangerous for vultures in Eastern Africa?
Which behavioral adaptation is particularly dangerous for vultures in Eastern Africa?
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What has been a direct action taken by poachers in Southern Africa that affects vulture populations?
What has been a direct action taken by poachers in Southern Africa that affects vulture populations?
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Which vulture species is particularly noted for its drastic population decline in India during recent decades?
Which vulture species is particularly noted for its drastic population decline in India during recent decades?
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What is a common misconception about the role of vultures in the ecosystem based on their decline?
What is a common misconception about the role of vultures in the ecosystem based on their decline?
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Study Notes
Vulture Species
- There are 23 species of vultures.
- Vultures fall into two categories: Old World Vultures and New World Vultures.
- Old World Vultures belong to the Cathartidae family.
- New World Vultures belong to the Accipitridae family.
Vulture Conservation Status
- 14 species of vultures are either threatened or endangered.
Diclofenac and Vulture Decline
- Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
- Diclofenac use was linked to a dramatic decrease in vulture populations in India.
- In 1980, the estimated vulture population in India was 80 million.
- By 2015, the estimated vulture population in India was approximately 6,000.
Diclofenac and Human Health
- Between 1992 and 2006, India saw a significant increase in its dog population, between 5.5 and 9 million.
- During the same period, there was an increase of up to 48,000 human rabies deaths.
Increase in All-Cause Death Rate
- Diclofenac pollution led to an increase in the all-cause death rate of at least 4.7 percent.
Vulture Poisoning in Africa
- In Southern Africa, poachers have poisoned animal carcasses (elephants and rhinos) in an attempt to kill vultures.
- In June 2019, over 530 endangered vultures died after feeding on a poisoned elephant in Botswana.
- In Eastern Africa, herders poison fallen livestock (killed by predators) to kill the predator.
- Vultures are also poisoned in Eastern Africa.
Vultures
- There are 23 species of vultures.
- Vultures are divided into two families: Old World Vultures (Cathartidae) and New World Vultures (Accipitridae)
- 14 species of vulture are threatened or endangered
Diclofenac
- Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
- The use of Diclofenac is linked to severe population decline of vultures in India.
- In India, the population of vultures was estimated at 80 million in the 1980s.
- In 2015, the estimated population dropped to ~6,000.
Diclofenac Impact on Humans
- The decline in vulture population led to an increase in dog population from 5.5-9 million between 1992 and 2006.
- This subsequently led to an increase in human rabies deaths of 48,000 between 1992 and 2006.
- The increase in dog population also led to an increase in the all-cause death rate of at least 4.7 percent.
Vulture Poisoning in Africa
- The intentional poisoning of vultures is a significant threat to the species in Africa.
- In Southern Africa, poachers lace carcasses of elephants and rhinoceroses with poison to kill vultures, which could alert park rangers.
- This resulted in >530 endangered vultures dying in June 2019 after feeding on a poisoned elephant in Botswana.
- In Eastern Africa, herders poison livestock killed by predators.
- Vultures are also poisoned as a result of these events.
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Description
Explore the fascinating world of vultures, including their species classification and conservation status. Learn about the severe impact of diclofenac on vulture populations in India and how it has also affected human health. Test your knowledge on these critical environmental issues!
