Vultures: The Unsung Heroes of the Natural World

By Shivangi Mishra

Vultures are not just scavengers but the custodians of the natural world. They help keep the environment clean and healthy by consuming the carcasses before they decay and spread diseases. Vultures are important for ecosystems as they act as nature's garbage collectors by feeding on deceased animals. Their scavenging behaviours manage the transmission of diseases, thereby safeguarding wildlife and human populations from potential epidemics.

Additionally, vultures are culturally and spiritually important in numerous cultures of the world and draw in ecotourism, leading to significant financial benefits for local areas. Their existence fosters a diverse range of species and strengthens the ability of the ecosystem to withstand and recover from disturbances. Preserving vultures is crucial not just for wildlife conservation, but also for sustaining the essential ecosystem services that support all living beings.

International Vulture Awareness Day (IVAD) brings attention to the significantly crucial yet widely misinterpreted birds — vultures. It is observed on the first Saturday of September each year. Organizations from different countries sign up for IVAD to take part in educational and fundraising activities for vultures across the world.

Vulture Talk and a Quiz Competition at the University of Calgary

On September 6, 2024, the Arctic Institute of North America at the University of Calgary celebrated IVAD-2024 with a captivating talk by Dr. Shivangi Mishra on vultures. The presentation engaged the research community of the University of Calgary, highlighting the differences between Old World and New World vultures. Following the talk, an interactive quiz competition took place, where participants showcased their knowledge and enthusiasm for vultures. Researchers from various fields asked insightful questions and actively took part in the quiz, making it a lively and informative session.

On September 7, 2024, Dr. Mishra was invited to deliver a lecture on Zoom, organized by the EIACP-PC-RP, Institute of Wildlife Sciences, ONGC-CAS, in collaboration with the Department of Zoology at the University of Lucknow, U.P., India where she spoke on, “Challenges of Vulture Conservation in India from Researchers’ Perspectives”.

Raising awareness about vultures is crucial for developing a better insight into these extraordinary birds and securing their existence. By utilizing different approaches to inform and involve communities, we can create a more robust support network for the protection of vultures and emphasize their crucial role in our ecosystems.

Shivangi's presentation highlighted the differences between Old and New World vultures.
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