The Health Assessment of Vultures (Gyps bengalnesis) From Changa Manga, Lahore: A case Study

Abstract

Vultures are considered as an important indicator of a healthy environment, and they play a vital ecological role as scavengers. The present study was designed to estimate the health of critically endangered Gyps bengalensis in Changa Manga, Lahore, using a technique that does not require drawing blood. Fecal matter of seven pairs were examined and analyzed for protozoan or helminth infections. Gross examination involved checking consistency and color of feces, presence of blood in feces and gross parasites. Obtained samples had different colors and consistency but no blood was found in them. Pair 1 was infested with oocytes, but in pairs 5 and 6 only males were infested, while the female was infested in pair 7. Pair 2, 3, and 4 was completely healthy. Gram staining was also performed to assess the presence or absence of bacteria culture in digestive tracks of Gyps bengalensis. All pairs were infected with either gram positive or negative except Pair 5 which was negative for all gram staining. The present work introduced a technique to assess the health of vultures without drawing blood samples, a process that causes disturbances to their life cycle.