Vulture crisis explained, pictorially
The vulture crisis a human induced wildlife disaster Vultures, the scavenging wild birds in the tropics are on the verge of extinction in India. An unidentified virus, is widely believed to be the cause of the decline in vulture population. Yet, other scientists believe that decrease in the cattle carcasses which is the main course in the vulture diet, has led to the decline in vulture population. Other possible causes are poisoned carcasses of cattle, infected carcasses, and culling of wild birds by aviation and defense authorities. While the king vultures, which feed on carcasses of wild animals are thriving in the forest areas and wildlife sanctuaries, it is the Longbilled Vultures, Whitebacked vultures and the Slenderbilled Vultures that are most threatened by the virus. Speculating on the population of these threatened species, Dr. Vibhu Prakash, principal scientist at the Vulture Care Centre of the Bombay Natural History Society in Pinjore in North India says…. ...
