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ENVIRONMENT:
VULTURES
Give
them a Fighting Chance
As
of now this stands partially confirmed. Mainly because in the past many
months, seven vulture carcasses were examined by well-known wildlife pathologist
Andrew Cunningham of the UK. His diagnosis: "The vultures died because
of infection and it was the same disease that killed them all." He,
however, explained that the disease or virus could not be identified and
that it may take a while before that is done. But Cunningham and other
wildlife vets also advise caution, saying more samples-at least 20-are
needed to conclusively prove that the main reason for the sharp drop in
numbers is an infection. "We need more samples urgently, and it would
be better if we can get sick birds whose behaviour and symptoms we can
examine," pointed out Asad Rahmani, director BNHS.
The findings, more or less, prompted BNHS to hold an international seminar
recently in Delhi so scientists, wildlife experts and the Ministry of
Environment could thrash out an action plan to save the vultures. Experts
pointed out that similar population decline in vulture populations had
been observed in South-east Asia and Nepal and-after India-recently in
Pakistan. This, they added, seemed to support the disease theory, which
was alarming as it seemed to be moving west in a crescent-like fashion.
Ornithologists from BNHS said they noticed that vultures would sit in
a lethargic manner with their necks hanging limp-a condition called the
drooping head syndrome-and then would die within 30 days. The immediate
reason was dehydration and visceral gout which scientists say seem to
point once again towards a deadly virus.
However, not everybody is entirely convinced about the virus theory. S.M.
Satheesan of WWF-India, who has spent years studying vultures, says "rushing
in to buy the virus theory" could prove counterproductive. According
to him, drooping-head syndrome, which has been listed as one of the behavioural
traits of a sick vulture, is in actuality a normal stance of any bird
with a long neck. Besides, the fact that it seems to take 30 to 32 days
before a vulture dies from the infection seems to suggest it isn't a virulent
virus. Adds Satheesan: "You have to take into account that there
may be another factor or a combination of factors at work that is causing
this population decline." These other factors being poisoning of
carcasses (done routinely by cattle rustlers), pesticides and regularly
shooting down by airport authorities as they are a major threat to flying
aircraft.
All this scepticism means that the virus theory needs to be conclusively
proved on a war footing. Because if it is true, there are serious ramifications.
"Firstly, poultry could be at risk," says G.R. Ghalsasi, general
manager of the Poultry Diagnostic and Research Centre (PDRC) of Venkateshwara
Hatcheries. PDRC has allowed scientists the use of their hi-tech laboratories
to conduct tests on vulture samples.
Besides, what worries scientists is that there have been numerous cases
in recent times where viruses have "jumped" species. In Malaysia,
infected pigs carried a virus named Nipah which ended up killing nearly
100 people. Similarly, in Australia a virus called Hendra killed 14 horses
and then jumped species infecting humans, leading to one death. The same
could happen with vultures. So, what is urgently needed is strenuous efforts
and commitment of funds to identify the virus and, hopefully, a vaccine.
As of now, the Government seems willing. Says S.C. Sharma, additional
inspector-general of forests (wildlife): "As long as there is a good,
solid plan we are willing to support it." Besides the toxicological
investigations, the action plan will also include an annual census of
vultures and, just in case, a captive breeding programme. All necessary
steps to ensure that nature's own incinerators get a fighting chance against
the danger of extinction.
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Relics
of old empires exist everywhere. Why can't the Mani Shankar Aiyars of
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