Forgotten and Unloved Animals in Ecosystems
Photo by Nick Kwan
When we think about “important animals,” we often picture pandas or dolphins. However, some of the most significant creatures are often the forgotten or unloved ones, like vultures. These animals are really important for the balance of ecosystems, despite their less-than-savory appearances or diets.
Vultures might be messy eaters, but they help keep our environment clean by eating dead animals, which helps stop the spread of diseases. If animals are left to rot, they become breeding grounds for harmful bacteria and viruses. Fortunately, vultures' stomach acid is so powerful, it can dissolve anthrax bacteria, which is deadly to many animals and humans.
In India, the vulture population dramatically declined due to poisoning from medicine used in cattle. Then, with fewer vultures cleaning up carcasses, the number of feral dogs and rats went up–and these animals can carry diseases like rabies and plague. In areas where vulture numbers went down, the number of diseases in people increased, showing how interconnected our health is with the health of wildlife.
Vultures aren't the only unsung heroes. Many other "ugly" or "forgotten" animals are crucial to ecosystems:
Bats are great pollinators and eat a lot of insects. A single bat can eat thousands of mosquitos in one night!
Beetles break down dead plants and animals, recycling nutrients back into the soil, which is important for forests and grasslands to grow.
Weasels might be seen as pests, but they are great at controlling rodent populations. This helps balance the food chain and prevent the overpopulation of species that can damage crops and spread diseases.
Sustainable forest management can help maintain the biodiversity of a forest, which in turn helps protect the habitats of so many important animals. By helping forests remain healthy and intact, we can provide safe homes for vultures, bats, beetles, and weasels.
Thankfully, conservation efforts are making a difference. In India, the cattle medicine that is harmful to vultures has been banned, and wildlife organizations are working to protect and rebuild vulture populations. Around the world, groups and individuals are working to protect many overlooked species.
By understanding and appreciating these often-unpopular animals, we can help them continue to thrive and support healthy ecosystems. Every creature, no matter how small or unappealing, has a role to play in the web of life!
