Join Woodland Park Zoo as they host the International Vulture Awareness Day on September 3 and discover how vultures fill a vital ecological niche as nature’s clean-up crew.

Vultures are often depicted as harbingers of death, yet many vulture populations face threats of their own with some species facing extinction.

Vultures, like the turkey vultures housed at the zoo, are scavenging birds that help recycle and prevent the spread of disease.

Turkey vulture numbers declined in the 1950s and 1960s, most likely due to the mistaken belief that they spread diseases. Shooting and poisoned baits often targeted these useful birds. Populations have increased in recent years, due to less persecution and safer use of pesticides. Contaminants and habitat loss continue to threaten other vulture species, particularly in southern Asia, where some species have been nearly forced to extinction.

On September 3, the Zoo provides the public with an opportunity to learn about the international efforts underway to help protect these often misunderstood birds.

The following activities will take place at Woodland Park Zoo’s Raptor Center in honor of International Vulture Awareness Day:

10:30: Vulture talk
11:30: Raptor flight program
Noon-3:00: Olympic Vulture Study display with guest biologist Diann MacRae
12:30-2:00: Games and activities
2:30: Raptor flight program
3:30: Vulture talk

For more information and how to become a zoo member, visit www.zoo.org. Or call 206.548.2500 or 548.2599 (TTY).