International Vulture Awareness Day

Saturday, September 1, 2012
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bird House

Vultures are vanishing around the world at an alarming rate. Of the 23 species of vultures in the world, 11 are currently threatened. These birds are declining due to poisoning from feeding on medicated cattle carcasses, power line collisions and loss of food and habitat.

Vultures play a vital role in the environment by cleaning up carcasses and preventing the spread of disease. Conservationists around the world are monitoring populations and implementing measures to conserve vultures and their habitats.

Family Activities

Circle over to the Bird House family activities. See the Zoo's impressive king vultures and cinereous vultures.

• Learn how vultures catch their prey, and how vomit plays a role in defense of predators. Fun facts: If faced with a predator after gorging on a carcass, vultures will vomit to lighten themselves for take-off. Vulture vomit is also incredibly acidic. If the vomit comes into contact with a predators face or eyes it will sting.
• Compare your "armspan" with the wingspan of a vulture.
• Check out feathers, eggs, bones and skulls from vultures at the biofacts station.
• Kids can color a puppet and receive a coloring booklet about vultures to take home.
• Hear keeper chats and observe the birds as they receive enrichment.
• Stop by the "vulture restaurant" to see what our raptors eat at the Zoo.

See more about International Vulture Awareness Day.