Caption: Date: 1966-1968
Location: Biruwa Guthi, Parsa
Description: Vultures eating a dead cow. Often, the first signs of an impending animal death are vultures circling overhead. Sometimes the vultures wait by a dying animal; they begin their task close to or even before the actual death moment, beginning with the softest tissues, and progressively work their long, naked necks into the body. These birds have huge wingspans. While majestic in the air, their landings and take offs are not smooth affairs. These birds break open the body and make it easier for the village dogs and jackals and other birds to join the devouring process; these animals compete for pieces of the carcass. In 24 hours, nothing of the animal is left but bones. About twice a year, bullock carts come through the villages to pick up the bones and take them to India where they are used for fertilizer. Keywords: Bob Nichols, Nepal Photo History Project, Peace Corp Photo History, agriculture, animal
