Before the later part of the decade of 1990s, it was a common sight of a ‘wake’ of vultures feasting on the carcasses of dead animal(s).
Vultures, Indian vultures in particular, are one of the nature's best scavengers. Often quoted in ancient literature for their farsightedness (remember Jatayu and Sampati from Ramayana?), Giddh Drishti, they soar high in the sky looking in the vicinity of human population to find their food.
 |
Vultures are naturally gifted with a digestive system capable of breaking down their food, which is hazardous otherwise, thus making them a major contributor in the animal disposal system. It takes a few minutes for a ‘wake’ to completely clean off a full grown dead cattle.
But where are they now? Animal dead bodies are still seen frequently, but the vultures are nowhere around. The population of vultures in India declined sharply (upto 99 percent decline as per some studies) between 1990 and 2007-08. The reason was uncertain, until before 2003, when the main cause of population decline was attributed to the use of a drug called 'Diclofenac' in cattle. 'Diclofenac' came into common use and was administered to cattle as a pain killer and anti-inflammatory drug. Vultures, when fed on the corpses of the dead cattle which have been administered Diclofenac earlier, did not cope well. Diclofenac present in the dead flesh caused death due to renal failure in vultures, thus explaining the sharp decline in vulture population.
 |
As the situation became alarming, Diclofenac was banned for veterinary use. Vultures are now 'Critically Endangered' species and captive breeding programs are run with hope of preventing this natural scavenger from extinction.
Witty Scribble hopes for the best for such programs which can restore the order of nature and co-existence.
Geek Fact 1: A group of vultures that are feeding is called a 'Wake'
Geek Fact 2: A vulture can be easily identified from other scavengers by its characteristically long bent neck and bent beak.
Geek Fact 3: Vultures do not hunt for themselves
Thanks for reading :)
Ayush!!!
Thanks for sharing such knowledgeable posts Ayush , I guess these are the basic common things which human has been ignoring. From v for vulture to V for Vodka.. this is our young India.. I am sure such posts will definitely help people learn alot ..
ReplyDeletePS: Keep writing :)
Thanks for the kind words buddy. Will surely try to keep bringing such everyday facts which are known but ignored by most people.
Deleteespecially the diclofenac part is a very important thing to know, thanks guys.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandy ! Keep reading :)
DeleteVery informative post. An eye opener indeed. How a pain killer for one can kill another.
ReplyDeleteComplementary therapies share many concepts with modern medicine, which form the scientific basis of current practices. From this level of understanding, we can build the scientific blocks of appreciating complementary therapies. In this paper, the author has put forward relevant points from medical literature that make complementary therapies more scientific. It also provides evidence to the widespread usage of complementary therapies. The words 'alternative' and 'complementary' have been used in the same context in this paper. modafinil
ReplyDeleteThe comprehensive methods of holistic medicine have lashed age long methodologies of medicinal healing approach and have taken the form of highly inspiring career option and the best healing treatment for the experts. cbd gummies deals
ReplyDelete“The first rule of marketing, patient experience and delivering satisfaction is to deeply know and understand the audience. And, in many instances, it is audiences—plural. It’s vital to know exactly how the people you serve perceive you, your staff and the overall experience. The systems that you create to serve these needs must actually connect to and address the people and issues.” 5 towns medical care
ReplyDeleteExcept if medicine takes a total u-turn in its methodology, or recuperating is polished in an alternate style, humankind will be significantly obliterated indeed. nr powder buy
ReplyDeleteWhat a pharmacy professional can do is dictated by the state they work by means of state laws and rules. As a general rule, professionals can't give clinical data to patients or be the last check for remedies.
ReplyDeletefioricet for sale
There are a number of online pharmacies, with a medical affiliation is that take great pain to differentiate themselves form unlicensed overseas pharmacies. http://christmas-coupons.xyz/category/health-wellness?page=280
ReplyDeletePerhaps realizing this, US customs appears to tolerate the millions of Americans that visit Canada every year to buy their medications, as for the most part, these 'drug buyers' are elderly American's that can't afford the high cost of filling their prescriptions in the US. Quality drugs For Sale
ReplyDeleteTheir training and knowledge is different from that of dispensing pharmacists who work at high street branches because high street pharmacists are not required (or allowed in most cases) to mix their own bespoke drugs. armodafinil buy
ReplyDelete