[The Best American Science and Nature Writing (2018)]
J. B. Mackinnon’s “Tragedy of the Common” discusses how White-Rumped Vultures became an endangered species. He follows biologist Vibhu Prakash as he works to highlight to major cause in the White-Rumped Vulture’s decrease of at least 58% around 1997.
Mackinnon states that the veterinary drug diclofenac was the culprit in vulture’s demise. According to him, the drug was “persisting in livestock carcasses and poisoning vultures after so much as a single exposure” (115). Despite being banned, the drug is still illegally used and harming both the vultures and other agriculturists who rely on the vultures to eat rotting carcasses to keep diseases from spreading.
How did reading about the circumstances of the vultures alter or support your thinking in one notable way?
40 comments:
I did not think there could be a scenario in which common species like vultures could get to the point where they're endangered. Every time I hear about conservation efforts it's for rare species or ones that are hunted by poachers. Hearing that we need to make an effort to protect both common and rare species is new to me since I always assumed that common species would breed faster then they go extinct.
Chris W.
Reading about these circumstances makes me wonder how human adaptation, advancement, and evolution have contributed to the endangerment of these ,among many other, species. We as human beings have come into the world and changed things very rapidly but before we came to be, the animals roamed freely without many issues.
Things we use everyday such as paper, cars, and technology have taken many things away from the animals' living arrangements. We are taking up land with buildings, plants, and factories by burning down the trees and forests that they call home. Our pollution, whether it be heat, air, or even simply trash being everywhere is hurting the environment, causing climate changes, which is causing issues for the animals because they were use to having certain conditions at certain times of the year and we are messing that all up. Yes, the animals can adapt and evolve via natural selection but they are dying off too quickly and the environmental changes are too sporadic for them to keep up and multiply to balance out the plummeting numbers of their populations.
After reading this my thoughts didn't change at all only because I tend to come across and watch different videos about wildlife and the current news on endangered species. So I often hear about the sad case of these animals becoming extinct so quickly. I'm very passionate about topics like this because these animals don't make themselves become endangered but we do. I've always felt very strong about the fact that we contribute to there extinction in many ways and I feel like its our duty to help lower these rates by simply watching what do to the earth.
I think it is quite a shame that so many species of animals, not just the white-rumped vultures, are now in danger of extinction because of too much human interference. I was surprised at the sinister method that is behind the endangerment of the vultures. For humans to continue to use the drug diclofenac even after it has been made illegal is egregious. Reading this selection just furthered my beliefs that humans need to do a better job of lessening our presence nature’s course and do our best to not negatively affect the processes and natural habitats of wild animals.
Unlike life in the wild before human interference, animals would experience hardships, and they were able to adapt to the changing environment over time and become better versions of the species due to natural selection. Humans today, have disrupted these natural processes which have put many animals, like the white rumped vulture, in danger. The passage did not really change my opinion or surprise me all that much because this same story has been to many different species of animals for a long time. The only part that intrigued me was how the vulture was becoming endangered and the fact that they were using a drug that was illegal to do what they were doing. -William A.
Reading about the circumstances of the vultures altered my opinion on them by showing me that even the scariest of predators can be turned into prey. Because of their association with gore, death, and all things evil, I had it ingrained in my mind that there was no animal who could scare vultures-let alone kill them. Not logical thinking on my part, I know. But this reading showed me how something as small as the chemical, "diclofenac," could nearly wipe out an entire population of vultures. The chemical was so much more powerful than the vultures that when biologist Vibhu Prakash mentioned them to most Indians, they thought he was making their existence up!
-Chaianna Curry
After reading the passage about the white-rumped vultures, I was not surprised. We have seen this before with many other species, way more than what we should have seen. Humans are more dangerous to animals than anything else. Even with all of the acts and laws protecting endangered species, they do not work due them being poorly enforced. Due to the increase of human interference, other species are not able to thrive like the once could. Maybe when common species are not so common anymore, people will become more aware of the situation at hand.
-Kayla P.
I think society really underestimates the consequences of animals losing their numbers. Some animals are beneficial to both animal and human systems. The vulture helps the the people of India with their dead livestock by eating the rotting carcasses. With their numbers severely low the citizens must burn or bury the livestock which could possibly lead to disease form the dead corpses. I feel like we as a society are never going to abandon are current ways of living, so there should be a conversation of how can we build and grow without stomping out other species. The issue regarding the bees completely flew over my radar. When I searched a picture of it, I stopped and realized that I really don't see that fuzzy bug much. Some common species really are on the decline and some of us don't realize it.
After reading, I thought it was very upsetting to think about how our technological advances such as pesticides, insecticides, and the uprooting of trees and such is literally killing common species of animals. The world is 1 large eco-system and it is crazy to think about how one small thing can alter an entire species of animal. With common species declining we as people really need to think about what is going to happen when we has humans start declining. We are all animals and we all have a part in this eco-system but one thing leads to another. This reading really opened my eyes that change needs to happen.- Layden Dukes
It's kind of crazy to think about how fragile our ecosystem can be. One simple thing could snowball into a whole wave of effects. For example,the essays gives the example of a saiga, which had a 95% drop in population since the end of the Soviet era. It just makes me realize how quickly whole species could be wiped out. In a way, it puts the human race into perspective, seeing as how we're so lax with our sustainability. If other species could drop rapidly, it could happen to us too.
Jalen W.
After reading this passage my thoughts didn't change much. We always hear about animals being endangered and that certain animals are going extinct. Humans are the reason these things are happening to animals. The animals have no control over it, they are just put in these situations with little to no control over them. So I believe it is sad that these animals lives aren't the way they could be because of the things around them. -Mikayla Kinnard
After reading, I became upset with the fact that vultures were dying off so quickly because of a product made to keep away insects and animals that are causing harm to living crops and animals. The passage mentioned that many villagers actually counted on the vultures to rid the towns of dead carcasses to prevent them from rotting and spreading diseases, They even reused the bones from the carcasses to be ground into fertilizer which would further benefit the town. The people who were still using the pesticide after it was deemed illegal just seem to be selfish and inhumane and it's sad that this is what our world has come to.
This article stunned me, in a way I had not expected. I was shocked to find out that animals such as vultures (who are scavengers within the animal kingdom) could end up becoming an endangered species due to human involvement. I was even more stunned to find out that pesticides and insecticides are actually killing animals and hurting the environment way more than it helps. This article gave me great insight into the importance of what our actions can do to our environment.
-Connor Woolfolk
This article stunned me, in a way I had not expected. I was shocked to find out that animals such as vultures (who are scavengers within the animal kingdom) could end up becoming an endangered species due to human involvement. I was even more stunned to find out that pesticides and insecticides are actually killing animals and hurting the environment way more than it helps. This article gave me great insight into the importance of what our actions can do to our environment.
-Connor Woolfolk
I don't believe my view point has changed. I've been generally aware that humans have caused various negative side effects to he ecosystem. It is worrying to see that it's spreading to common species when it's usually the rare animals that get vocalized about protection. Perhaps it stems to that we as a species don't tend to care about animals unless it begins to impact us directly. If dogs, cats, or sources of meat we consume started to go extinct more people would notice that. It's not right but despite wanting change to come I'm very doubtful it will. -Andrew H.
After reading this my initial opinion that illegal drug use should be heavily monitored over still is supported. As a society, we always agree that illegal drug use is bad, but we never take into consideration things such as drugs that can harm the ecosystems as well as other life on the planet. Sometimes this idea slips our minds because people are more likely to care about people vs caring about animals that aren't domesticated. The point is that if drugs aren't approved and are deemed illegal, people shouldn't use them because things like that can spiral out of our control.
After reading this passages what comes to my mind is that we can live wthout the species , the cost of that would be very bad though. To me Human's nature isn't to be tough and live in the wild. Animals' nature is to live in the wild that's why they do things they do to survive. -laurel white
After reading this passage, my views did not change in any significant way. I have always felt strongly about protecting the environment. For centuries, we have known that mankind has a tendency to disregard animals and their habitats. Likewise, we tend to ignore the impact wildlife can have on our environment. For example, the passage discussed how vultures benefit their surrounding environment by eating rotting carcasses and preventing the spread of disease. Despite this, people persist with the usage of diclofenac. As humans, we should be more aware of respecting animals and protecting their lives.
After coming to terms with this passage, I’m not surprised at all. I feel that our species as society has taken advantage of the earth we inhabit to the point were other species can no longer live the way they were supposed to live. It’s saddening to live during a time where everyday animals, that you could easily see out in the backwoods are going extinct. Just by living the way we do and maintaining the habits we have and our curiosity overall are the one major thing that is harming to the ecosystem. In the end I believe that this will ultimately affect the way we live life, loosing animals that are beneficial to our own survival. - Nia M.
I think it is incredible how easily the environment can be affected and altered. I always knew this though, but this story reinforces just how important it is. I think the example about a full bowl of granola but only being a few of each kind gave me a new prospective and way to look at our environment. - Noah Jones
After reading the article, my views on human behaviors being a threat to other species and their existence grew and was significantly supported. Not only was my disappointment of society reaffirmed but it was also enhanced, in the article, they address the issue and how tits common that many people that view this issue as a shoulder shrug. The common human viewpoint may be, Well, “we adapt, we survive” (pg.123), but this mindset is what breaks us and our ecosystem down. Of course, not all people think this way, so of us that don’t, I think it’s important that we continue to take strides to address this progressively prominent issue of endangered species today and the extinction of animals, and actually start talking more about the alternatives of the actions that we so commonly do without thinking about them and the effect that it can have on the animals’ presence on this Earth.
I think the last statement of the article, “Why does it matter what happens to common species? Because we happen to be one of them”, (pg. 123) is what was one of the most profound statements to me within this article. This statement serves as a wake-up call, I continue to inform myself of articles and shows that discuss these topics of animal endangerment, but I think this statement can still resonate within anyone because it cancels out the “Us vs. Them” viewpoint. We are “them” because just as we have the ability to destroy and negatively change their living behaviors and environments, making them vulnerable, and causing them to become extinct, we are also vulnerable to a planet that, we too are destroying, and can put us in a very similar situation. We are vulnerable to other factors, as well, and not only do we take it for granted but us inflicting that onto other species, makes things even worse.
My views were not significantly altered by this passage due to frequent exposure to similar situations. Unfortunately, blatant disregard for other animals is often chosen rather than sacrificing human convenience. This occurrence has always appeared ignorant to me because we, as humans, are well informed on how animals hold great importance in our lives and especially concerning the environment.
Eboni Gardner
Reading this selection did not really cause a significant change in my thinking but it did open my eyes to new information. Now that I am aware, future information I come in contact to pertaining to the similar circumstances may lead me to an alteration of mindset. I do feel like most humans take the environment we have for granted and it is severely unfortunate that things like this have to occur mostly to to our negligence for other species.
Torian H.
This article did not really alter my views concerning animal extinction; however, there was a section that intrigued me. It stated, "...it's impossible to bring back common species, or to preserve what commonness remains, through the traditional approach of setting aside protected areas- the whole planet would soon be a park." Then a question is asked; "...how much of the landscape ought to be shared with the nonhuman world[?] (119)" I'm curious of how society will answer this question. What is the balance between human advancement and the preservation of wildlife both common and rare?
-Jacqueline S.
Post reading this chapter, the things discussed in the book did not surprise me at all, really it just further proved my stance on environment preservation. Our crusade to make our lives easier has definitely taken a toll on all animal species, even vultures as discussed in the passage, and we have to take responsibility and do better as a species for all species on Earth. I hope in my lifetime we'll make a change for the better, or definitely in my lifetime, the human race will see the repercussions of being so careless with our only planet.
The passage has not really changed my views on anything. It is obvious that humans have had an effect on endangering animals. It is not surprising that we have had a negative effect on this species of vulture. Especially considering that the thing harming the vulture was made to support humans themselves.
-Tyler B.C.
This section of the article makes me think about how big of an impact that we as humans have on animals and wildlife. We can get rid of entire species just because of some bad decisions that we collectively make. I feel that people do not take the extinctions of species serious if it doesn't directly affect us. This article as a whole makes me realize that we need to be much more cautious and careful with how we interact with wildlife and the environment.
Charlie Brown
Reading this passage helped me see that the extinction of animals not only throws off the animal ecosystem and their niches but also life for humans. The merchants relied on vultures to pick all the meat off animal bodies to sell their bone, but now their business is impacted. Also, disease can spread from the rotting animal bodies which would've been prevented by the vultures. - Deja Lane
After reading "Tragedy of the Common" my perception on this issue and ones similar to this has not changed. Personally I feel human intervention in the environment and biological processes is in large part reckless, and can lead to many unintended consequences and this passage only further supported my beliefs. In the article the drug "diclofenac" used to treat livestock was determined to the decline of the white-rumped vulture and while the drug is now illegal society is now posed with the challenge of preserving and restoring the vulture population. This story can be related to the invention of the coal plant. The coal plant being the main source of power here in the United States is an crucial part of our lives and main separating factor between the US and poorer countries. Since its conception the coal plant has been one of the most important inventions know to man but it will now soon be the cause of major problems for humanity in years to come. In short this article has only furthered my belief that we as a people need to more closely evaluate the consequences of our innovations in order to avoid tragic consequences.
Reading about this makes me wonder how much more involved are humans going to get in this. If the drugs are illegal, then we should not be using them at all. People tend to value human life more than animal life, which is wrong. Although humans are a dominant species, we are all animals and should be treated the same. I never knew that the pesticides would be killing the vultures and ruining the environment and ecosystems. As humans, we should realize that a small action can lead to a big catastrophic event.
I always knew that pesticides and insecticides were killing "common" animals by accident, and the fact that they are used world wide. But i never thought small things like that and Veterinary medicines that help other animals end up killing other animals is absurd, especially since a common species such as the vultures would be affected so immensely. This is like saying the Canadian goose that was once on the endangered watch, and as an Illinois resident a very common animal, would end up dying out entirely within two years due to greenhouse gasses.
Reading this passage made me more aware of the negligence that surrounds a lot of actions that humans enact. It is horrible that a species is becoming endangered due humans having tunnel vision and not recognizing the potential affects pesticides and insecticides would have on other species, and that potential risk should have been considered within the production of these products. It is shameful that mankind continuously disregard animals existence and their habitats.
As soon as I read that fifty-eight percent of birds were deceased I was confused as to how a species could just almost drop dead out of no where. Then I continued to read and saw how they were poisoned and became even more confused because it said that they helped people so why kill them. People need to stop endangering these animals, they're all here for a reason and deserve to live just as much as we do.
After I read the reading about the vultures, it just reminded me of how human interactions can really have an impact on the environment and animals. Impacts on environments can be really easy and it's sad how majority of those impacts are negative. This reading really didn't change my views on extinction but instead kind of added on to my thoughts on them. I just don't understand why humans can't help the environment and the environment's animals by not doing things to harm them or their home such as stop building buildings by tearing down forest preserves, throwing away trash in trash cans, be considerate and mindful of global warming, cutting down pollution, and just simply assist animals if they need that assistance. Dont sell their body for money or their body parts, they are innocent animals that just want to live. It's crazy how in this day and time that even the polar bears are becoming skinny because of the lack of food and the ice melting in the Artic. This reading gives us an idea of extinction and with me as a reader gives me an "alert" as to what I or what others can do to stop the harm coming to the environment and the animals.
I cannot say I am surprised about what’s happening with the white-rumped vultures. It seems that over the years humanity is getting more and more greedy and will cross certain lines to attempt to sate that greed. Even though there are constant laws being put in place and countless measures to bring about awareness for animal habits as long as it benefits people I don’t think this is going to end. The best thing I think we can do is impose severe punishments to make people scared of harming animals and their environments. If this doesn’t happen however there will for a fact be more animals on the extinction list.
After reading this passage, it did not surprise me, but it still does make me sad that a common species has become endangered and on the verge of extinction. The reason that it does not surprise me however is because, growing up, I would hear about how more and more animals were becoming endangered and on the verge of extinction. Especially after reading more about the wildfires in Australia and more about what happened the the ecosystem there, learning that another animal is on the verge of extinction doesn’t surprise me. -William S
The endangerment and possible extinction of the vultures in India is nothing new or surprising. Millions of species are dying off. Kevin Gaston, the ecologist from England said, “Industrial agriculture carries much of the blame for Europe’s disappearing birds.” (p. 116) The same thing is happening in India as well as many other countries. In fact, industrialization and urbanization as a whole is a huge issue with the endangerment of animals. Paving over large areas of nature, building, and irrigation like sewage system contaminate the land and water. Making it nearly impossible for other species to survive.
- Carah F.
After reading this passage, it is upsetting that innocent animals are becoming more and more endangered, but what is surprising is the reason these vultures are getting to that point. Usually animals go extinct because they are hunted or the environment is changing, but these vultures are going extinct because of illegal drug use. This just shows that illegal drug use is not only affecting just humans, but it is going to the animals as well which needs to be stopped. The sadder part about it is that us humans are giving them to the vultures, and the vultures aren't aware of how dangerous it is to them. Overall, us humans need to look out for the animals on our planet because they are juts as important as us. -Ta'mya C.
My thoughts on the issue didn't change at all. It is what it is. Humans are the dominant specie and they'll do anything to survive or in this case, use vultures as a test dummy for a drug. There's many animals that are going into extinction because of the human being race. In the future there are going to be even more. Humans are basically the bullies on planet earth. We are the most powerful being and we can do whatever we want to this animals which, is very wrong and something should be done about it.
Before reading Mackinnon's "Tragedy of the Common," I never really thought much about birds being an endangered species. The statistic that stood out to me the most was on page 116,"...the number of birds nesting in Europe has dropped by 421 million-fully one-fifth of the continents bird population..." It is sad that usually the reasoning for a species becoming extinct is human involvement or interference. Because of the continuation of an illegal drug, the White-rumped Vultures are becoming extinct. Because of the cutting down of trees and the overall destroying that is targeted towards nature, so many species are becoming extinct. This is hurting our ecosystems tremendously.
- Quanicia R.
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