Vultures and disease transmission

The ecosystem services provided by vultures and condors and their position as apex scavengers offers a compelling narrative for their conservation.

As VSG members we aim to highlight the role these birds play in providing key ecosystem services without making statements that lack scientific evidence.

A high level of scientific integrity on this issue is required and we support the use of the following statement in regards to this issue:

Vultures likely help to limit disease transmission at carcasses.

More conclusive evidence is needed in support of vultures’ ability to limit the spread of specific diseases.
We call for more attention and studies testing the role of vultures as both direct and indirect disease regulators.