Stray Dogs and Vultures

Across south Asia there have been dramatic and drastic declines in the populations of vultures over the last few years, which according to one report is a significant reason for the increase in the stray dog population in Bangalore (see here). In the case of one vulture species the decline has been 99.9% and this means that the dogs no longer have competition for the “excess garbage” dumped on the streets.

The main cause for the vultures’ decline has been identified as two veterinary drugs, diclofenac and aceclofenac, which are toxic to any birds that feed on carcass remains from animals that were treated with the drugs. This avoidable impact on these bird populations is sad and is having repercussions for the residents of Bangalore and presumably other cities as well but let’s not forget that the underlying problem with the stray dog population is one of waste management.

Learn more about the lives and issue of unowned dogs in my e-book ”A Stray View” available from Bangkok Books (readable as .pdf on any computer)