Worldwide, populations of scavenging animals that feed on rotting carcasses are declining. Scientists are finding that this can seriously hurt human health. NPR science reporter <a href="https://www.npr.org/people/703751120/jonathan-lambert"target="_blank" >Jonathan Lambert</a> has been looking into how human health is intertwined with scavenging animals and why these animals’ decline could lead to more human disease. Today, he brings all he learned, including how conservation could help, to your earholes. <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/goats-and-soda/2025/07/11/g-s1-77052/vultures-hyenas-and-rabies-scavengers-diclofenac"target="_blank" >Check out more</a> of Jon’s reporting on scavengers and human health. Interested in more science behind skincare products? Email us your question at <a href="mailto:shortwave@npr.org"target="_blank" >shortwave@npr.org</a>. Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at <a href="http://plus.npr.org/shortwave"target="_blank" >plus.npr.org/shortwave</a>. Learn more about sponsor message choices: <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a> <a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

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