Why Worry About Vulture Apocalypse?

[Andie]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/why-should-worried-vulture-apocalypse/
 

Collapse could lead to spread of diseases world wide.  

A catastrophic decline of vulture populations in Africa and Asia is causing alarm among researchers, who fear that a “cascade” effect could lead to the spread of deadly old and new diseases, including plague, anthrax, and rabies.

“They’re at the top of the food pyramid,” Mr Murn added. “They’re really good indicators of what’s happening in the ecosystem at large. I think biodiversity is a bit like a blanket that keeps humans warm. Each thread is like a species or interaction between species. You can take one out and you'll still have a blanket. But eventually, that blanket is going to fall to pieces.”