Natural History Wanderings

Conservation Magazine reports on a very serious side effect of declining vulture populations could be an increase in disease in mammals. Vultures are on of the most threatened groups of birds in the world. As the populations of vultures decline there are less of them scavenger dead animals.

Turkey Vulture by Sandy Steinman

This results in rotting animal carcasses sitting around for longer periods of time increasing the potential for dangerous microbes to develop in rotting flesh. It increases the chances of feral dogs, rats and other mammals seeking out the infected carcasses and transmitting disease. Read more at:  Scavenging For Health | Conservation Magazine.