[Druss]

On 19th April 2020 in Autazes (Brazil), the body of a man was found at a dump.

The man had been beaten on his back & stabbed 4 times in the chest. Vultures had devoured some of the man's face.

[Splay]

Damn. Vultures. I thought these ants in my kitchen were a pain in the ass.

[TargetX]

Originally Posted by Splay ↗

Damn. Vultures. I thought these ants in my kitchen were a pain in the ass.

Vultures are actually pretty important for a myriad of reasons. They're able to kill extremely dangerous bacteria and viruses in their stomach, their digestive acid is very potent. Unfortunately the widespread use of diclofenac in animals has made them critically endangered in many parts of the world, with some major consequences: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_vulture_crisis

The sudden collapse of the natural animal disposal system in India has had multiple consequences. The carcasses formerly eaten by vultures rot in village fields leading to contaminated drinking water. The disappearance of vultures has allowed other species such as rat and wild dog populations to grow. These newly abundant scavengers are not as efficient as vultures. A vulture's metabolism is a true “dead-end” for pathogens, but dogs and rats become carriers of the pathogens. India has an estimated 18 million wild dogs, the largest population of carnivores in the world, which has led to increase in leopards invading inhabited areas preying on feral dogs leading to conflicts with humans.

The mammals also carry diseases from rotting carcasses such as rabies, anthrax, plague etc. and are indirectly responsible for thousands of human deaths.In India, 30,000 people die from rabies each year, more than half the world's total. Around half a million Indians are treated for rabies each year, at a cost of ₹1,500 (US$21) per person, while the average wage in India is ₹120 (US$1.70) per day. According to a study in 2007, the expenses for medical care to treat animal bites cost India ₹750 million (US$11 million) per year. In addition to the cost of care, the government faces the problem of managing the population of disease carriers. Vaccination and sterilization of animals cost money. It is estimated that the decline of vultures costs India ₹1.7 trillion (US$24 billion) per year.

According to Parsi beliefs, Earth, Fire, and Water are sacred elements, and both cremation and burial are sacrilegious. For the deceased Parsi to reach heaven, vultures serve as intermediaries between earth and sky. The dead body is placed on a Tower of Silence where vultures, by consuming the body, liberate the soul. Due to the decline in vulture population, Parsis have been obliged to drop these ancient customs for reasons of hygiene, since now bodies take six months to disappear.

[Budd Dwyer]

Thanks, Simone

[kellyhound]

Originally Posted by Budd Dwyer ↗

Thanks, Simone