On the occasion of International Vulture Day, the conservation community is calling for the protection of these "giants" of the sky from the alarming decline in their population, according to the IUCN Red List. Despite their bad reputation, their role is essential, providing a true "cleaning service" in nature. BIOPARC Valencia, home to five of the ten African vulture species, is joining this commemoration by highlighting deaths due to poisoning and holding a special activity this Saturday the 5th.
In 2009 the first Saturday of September was established to commemorate the International Vulture Day, with the aim of denouncing the situation that these birds are going through and raise awareness towards their protectionAmong the many threats are the proliferation of wind farms or food shortages in the countryside due to the decline of extensive livestock farming and wildlife. And From BIOPARC Valencia we want to highlight the "invisible" danger and the serious consequences of poisoning. which is caused in vultures by the use of certain drugs in domestic and farm animals, since they are primarily a scavenger species.
International Vulture Day 2025.
One of the most devastating factors for vultures has been the use of diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory used in veterinary medicine to treat domestic and farm animals. When vultures consume the remains of cattle treated with this substance, their bodies fail to metabolize it, resulting in fatal poisoning. Widely used in the 90s, this drug triggered a serious decline in vulture populations, to the point that it was banned in numerous countries. However, it continues to be used in some regions of Asia and Africa, and in the European Union, after initially being declared illegal, it was authorized again in 2013 for very specific cases and under strict recommendations.
Mainly scavengers, these birds are endowed with a very strong digestive system, capable of eliminating bacteria very harmful, acting as natural barriers to prevent the spread of infectious diseases like anger or rage. This “cleaning service” It is also beneficial in combating climate change by preventing the release of some greenhouse gases.
Five species of vultures in the Valencian animal conservation park.
Spain is home to 90% of Europe's vultures, and five of the ten African vulture species can be seen at BIOPARC Valencia.: white-headed (Trigonoceps occipitalis), hooded (Necrosyrtes monachus), African white-backed (Gyps africanus), palm tree (Gypohierax angolensis) and tawny (Gyps fulvus), with the first three are critically endangered according to the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Special activities to raise awareness about vulture conservation.
From the hand of the personnel specialized in your care, in the educational exhibition “The Cycle of Life”, you can appreciate their natural behavior and discover their peculiarities. In addition, on the occasion of International Vulture Day, this Saturday, September 6, BIOPARC has prepared special activities in order of break false beliefs and cRaise awareness about the need to conserve these majestic animals essential for the balance of the environment, ensuring their survival in order to admire their prodigious flight across the sky.
