The International Vulture Awareness Day (IVAD) is just around the corner.
IVAD, celebrated annually on the first Saturday of September, is a global event that brings together conservationists, organizations, and nature enthusiasts to spotlight the crucial role vultures play in our ecosystems and the urgent need to address the threats they face.
We are very excited to raise awareness about the importance of importance and their conservation as part of IVAD. The Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF) has several activities planned throughout September, both online and in person, giving the chance to as many people as possible to join the celebrations.
What is International Vulture Awareness Day (IVAD)?
International Vulture Awareness Day began in 2006 as a collaboration between the Birds of Prey Programme in South Africa and the Hawk Conservancy Trust in the UK. Today, International Vulture Awareness Day is championed by the Endangered Wildlife Trust, Hawk Conservancy Trust, and the Vulture Conservation Foundation, on behalf of the Vulture Specialist Group. Over the years, IVAD has grown into a worldwide movement, with numerous organizations and individuals participating to raise awareness about the plight of vultures. IVAD aims to educate the public about the ecological importance of vultures, dispel myths surrounding these misunderstood birds, and promote conservation actions to prevent their decline.
Vultures are often considered nature’s cleanup crew, playing a critical role in maintaining healthy ecosystems by consuming carrion, which helps prevent the spread of disease. Despite their importance, many vulture species are endangered, primarily due to poisoning, habitat loss, and hunting. IVAD serves as a platform to highlight these issues and rally support for their conservation.
VCF’s role as a new partner
The Vulture Conservation Foundation took a more active role in coordinating IVAD from this year on. VCF’s involvement in IVAD will contribute to the day’s impact by sharing their extensive knowledge and resources to the event. As a partner, VCF will be mainly in charge of the communications: the website content and social media channels and other communications campaigns. This collaboration will amplify the reach of IVAD, helping to inform and inspire a broader audience about the significance of vulture conservation.
Join our IVAD 2024 activities
Join us throughout September as we celebrate International Vulture Awareness Day (IVAD) with a series of exciting activities hosted by the Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF).
Expert Week (10th-15th September): Dive deep into the fascinating world of vultures during our Expert Week! Our vulture experts will be answering questions submitted by our social media audience over the past three weeks. Don’t miss this chance to learn directly from those dedicated to vulture conservation!
IVAD Giveaway (Starting 7th September): To kick off IVAD, we’re launching a special giveaway open to everyone throughout September. Enter for a chance to win exciting prizes! The winner will be announced at the end of the month, so stay tuned!
Guadalentín Tour (End of September): Wrap up the month with an unforgettable tour of our Bearded Vulture captive breeding centre of Guadalentín (CCG) in Spain, to meet our vultures in person and to learn about captive breeding!
As the next IVAD approaches, we are eager to collaborate with other organizations and individuals passionate about vulture conservation. Together, we aim to create a future where vultures not only survive but thrive, continuing their vital role in ecosystems around the world. We hope you will join us!
