Did you know that there are two reasons to celebrate this Labor Day weekend? In addition to your regular cookouts and parties with friends and family, take time to be thankful for one of nature’s most under-appreciated but critically important birds, the vulture. This weekend marks the annual world-wide celebration of International Vulture Awareness Day, which aims to create awareness of the plight of all vulture species and to highlight the work done by researchers who monitor populations and implement measures to conserve vultures and their habitats.
Although many consider them to be ugly, vultures play an important role in keeping our eco-systems free of disease and pests. Unfortunately, vulture populations around the world have declined by 80% or more in some regions due to environmental contaminants, poisoning, and shooting. In some parts of the world, loss of vultures has resulted in billions of dollars of increased human healthcare costs! The Peregrine Fund works extensively to protect vulture species in Asia, Africa, and South America, and even breeds the endangered California Condor here in Boise, Idaho.
You’re invited to join the celebration of these bald and beautiful birds on Saturday, September 3 from 10 am – 5 pm at The Peregrine Fund’s World Center for Birds of Prey. Meet the most common vulture, the Turkey Vulture, and the rarest, the critically endangered California Condor while participating in fun activities and learning about vultures around the globe!
International Vulture Awareness Day Activities will include:
- Free admission to anyone without hair or wearing a bald cap! Bald is beautiful and all day on Saturday bald is free!
- A fun “scavenger” hunt full of vulture facts and activities for the whole family (all day)
- Bird Presentations throughout the day (10:30 am, noon, 2 pm, 3:30 pm)
- Meet “Lucy” the Turkey Vulture up-close and learn about her unique adaptations (1 pm and 3:30 pm)
- Appearances and photo opportunities by mascot, “Jose El Condor” (1 pm)
- Debut of our beautiful, new hand-woven California Condor tapestry and meet and greet with Grand Canyon Artist in Residence Lyn Hart (3 pm)
- Presentation by The Peregrine Fund’s California Condor Propagation Specialist Marti Jenkins on how we hatch and raise critically endangered Condors (3:30 pm)
- Archives of Falconry Tours (11 am and 2:30 pm)
The Peregrine Fund’s World Center for Birds of prey is open Tuesday-Sunday 10 am -5 pm, with last admission at 4:15 pm. Members Free, Adults $7.00, Seniors $6.00 (62 and up), Youth $5.00 (4-16)
For more information, contact:
Erin Katzner
Director of Global Engagement
Main Phone: 208-362-3716
Direct Phone: 208-362-8277
