A new study revealed the devastating impact of Indian vultures on thousands of human deaths over the years.

According to a study by economists Eyal G. Frank and Anant Sudarshan, the near extinction of vultures led to human deaths.

India's vulture population declined by up to 99.9% in the mid-1990s. This loss was later attributed to the widespread use of diclofenac, a veterinary painkiller toxic to vultures when ingested through livestock carcasses, India Today reported.

Indian vulture belongs to the family Accipitridae. With a wingspan of about 1.96 to 2.38 meters, the large bird has a body length of about 75 to 85 centimeters. The plumage is mostly pale with dark flight feathers, and the head is bare and pale. The neck and head are sparsely covered in down, less dense than in other vulture species. It has a hooked beak designed for tearing flesh from carcasses.

Found primarily in South Asia including India, Pakistan and Nepal, Indian vultures are scavengers that primarily feed on the carcasses of dead animals. They play a crucial role in the ecosystem by disposing of these carcasses, helping to prevent the spread of diseases.

However, their disappearance caused a sanitation crisis, leaving rotting carcasses unattended. This posed a risk of spreading diseases and contaminating water sources.

Besides, the researchers also found evidence of increased feral dog populations and a higher incidence of rabies in affected areas. This surge in dog numbers is likely due to the abundance of carrion previously consumed by vultures, resulting in more human-dog interactions and rabies transmission.

The study underscores the often-overlooked importance of vultures in maintaining public health. As efficient scavengers that feed exclusively on carrion, these birds provided a crucial sanitation service in a country with over 500 million livestock.

This research emphasises the interconnectedness of ecosystems and human well-being. It highlights the unforeseen consequences of biodiversity loss and underscores the urgent need for conservation efforts.