International Vulture Awareness Day 2026: Three Communities Celebrate Vultures

Every year on the first Saturday of September, people around the world pause to celebrate some of nature's most misunderstood birds. International Vulture Awareness Day (IVAD) is a chance to share why vultures matter and how we can protect them. This year, The Peregrine Fund marked the day with three events on two continents, each shaped by the people who live alongside vultures.

Students Lead the Way in Kenya

On September 4, our Northeast Africa Program celebrated at Likii Comprehensive School in Nanyuki, Kenya. Partners included Kenya Wildlife Service, Laikipia Wildlife Forum, Northern Kenya Conservation Clubs, and Mpala Research Centre. More than 130 people took part, including 110 students from four schools.

The day began with birdwatching and a tree-planting ceremony, then the students took center stage. Each school received debate questions ahead of time, and students came ready to present and defend their ideas on vulture ecology, threats, and conservation. Their debates were a highlight of the day. Students also shared songs, poems, skits, and artwork about vultures. Activity books were given out as awards, and each school took home posters and storybooks to keep the learning going.

A Community Celebration in Tanzania

In Tanzania, our Southern Africa Program teamed up with Lion Landscapes to host an event in Kihimbwa village in Rufiji District. The village is home to Wasukuma agro-pastoralist and Barabaig pastoralist communities, where human-wildlife conflict can lead to vulture poisoning.

About 500 people came, and some walked for up to seven hours to be there. The District Game Officer of Rufiji joined as guest of honor. The day also included traditional dancing, speeches, a “Protect Vultures” song in Kiswahili, and flyers about why vultures matter and how to use pesticides safely. 

Up Close With Vultures in Idaho

Back at The Peregrine Fund’s headquarters at the World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho, 582 guests joined our Education Team on September 5. Some vultures throw up to scare off predators, so visitors "vomited" kinetic sand into buckets labeled with threats that vultures face. A "What Vulture Are You?" quiz introduced different species. Guests also met the propagation biologists who care for California Condors in our breeding program. Live bird programs featured Lucy the Turkey Vulture and Ramses the Egyptian Vulture.

One Message, Many Voices

From a school in Kenya to a village in Tanzania to a visitor center in Idaho, each event looked different. But the message was the same: vultures matter, and their future depends on people who care. Thank you to every partner, student, and guest who helped celebrate these remarkable birds.