The Vulture's Superb Digestive System

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Vultures possess a remarkable digestion system enabling them to survive toxic substances like arsenic and deadly diseases such as tuberculosis, rabies, and anthrax without any harm. However, the drug Dyclofenac, created by humans to alleviate pain, proved fatal to them. Within a decade of the introduction of this drug, India witnessed a devastating decline of up to 99% in vulture populations, marking one of the most drastic declines ever recorded for any species worldwide.

Situated right in downtown Mumbai, India is an area of about 55 acres of dense, overgrown forest. In one of the most populous cities in the world, this is a place where peacocks roam freely -- a space out of time. This forest is protected by a religious community. It has survived in a relatively undeveloped state in the middle of this gargantuan city. Importantly, it’s also home to an ancient tradition in crisis -- one that is central to the lives (and deaths) of a particular population.

There’s a certain point in this forest beyond which almost no one can step -- only special caretakers of these grounds can go any further. They go by many names: khandia, nassassalar, pallbearer, corpse bearer. Their work here is holy. They carry dead bodies to their final resting place – atop stone structures that stand gray against the lush green. These buildings are called Towers of Silence.

Towers of Silence

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