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Vulture populations across the world are under threat. There are several reasons for their decline – faster than that of all other birds – but chief among them is poisoning by humans. In fact, of the 23 vulture species on the planet, 12 are endangered or critically endangered. But vultures are scavengers, and an essential part of a functioning ecosystem. Their decline can have a huge impact on the environment in ways that might surprise you. Learn how vultures safeguard our health – and what needs to be done to save them.

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And please, make a note in your diary: The first Saturday in September each year is International Vulture Awareness Day! https://www.vultureday.org/

Fun fact: Vultures are known for vomiting to speedily reduce their weight, particularly when faced with a predator, in order to be able to takeoff more efficiently. The practice also has the added benefit of distracting the creature causing the threat, since the chances are that they won't want to look at, or smell, a pile of freshly regurgitated (and often rancid) carrion.

Script: Eleanor Updegraff
Editor: Mathias Muckenhuber
Producer: Eva Schmidt
Graphics: Jörg Eisenprobst
VoiceOver: Julian Nightingall
Audiomix: Hubert Weninger

Footage:
Terra Mater Factual Studios

Production:
Terra Mater Factual Studios GmbH
[email protected]
@terramater


Sources:
1. African Wildife Foundation, accessed May 2021, https://www.awf.org/wildlifeconserva...

2. International Vulture Day is Today, Vulture Conservation Foundation, 2 September 2017, https://www.4vultures.org/2017/09/02/...

3. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: California Condor, IUCN, 28 August 2020, https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/2...

4. Vultures of Africa and Eurasia, Birdlife International, accessed May 2021, https://www.birdlife.org/worldwide/vu...

5. Vulture Conservation: The Case for Urgent Action, Birdlife International, March 2019, https://www.researchgate.net/publicat...

6. Vulture declines: the history, SAVE Vultures, accessed May 2021, https://savevultures.org/vulturedec...

7. African Wildlife Poisoning Database via Vulpro, South Africa, November 2019, https://vulpro.com/samplepage/conser...

8. Another Continental Vulture Crisis: Africa's Vultures Collapsing Towards Extinction, Darcy Ogada et al, 18 June 2015, https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.co...

9. What's Killing Africa's Vultures, Birdlife International, accessed May 2021, https://www.birdlife.org/worldwide/vu...

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