Vulture Conservation Foundation
The Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF) is an international non-governmental organization committed to the conservation of European vulture species, namely the bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus), griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus) and Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus). VCF has extensive experience in breeding vultures, releasing them into the wild, and protecting these majestic birds in their natural habitat.
Threats to vultures
All four vulture species in Europe are considered highly vulnerable, and their ranges have been significantly reduced in the last century. Threats such as illegal poisoning, food shortages, or collisions with wind turbines and power lines are making the incipient recovery of some populations difficult. The isolation of many breeding populations and low reproductive capacity make the long-term survival of these species difficult.
VCF activities
The main activities of the Vulture Conservation Foundation include breeding vultures in human care, efforts to prevent and minimize the causes of their endangerment, strengthening existing populations, returning vultures to their original habitat, scientific research and monitoring, environmental education, raising awareness, changes in landscape management and providing consulting to governments, institutions, and organizations.
You can learn more at www.4vultures.org.
Why protect vultures?
Vultures require large natural areas with quality habitat, but these are becoming increasingly difficult to find on the heavily man-altered European continent. Due to their unique role in the ecosystem, vultures are the keystone species of European mountain regions. They break the chain of transmission of infectious diseases, act as natural processors of dead animal bodies, and have great socio-economic value for local communities. Protecting vultures therefore means protecting entire European mountain ecosystems.
How Ostrava Zoo helps
The Ostrava Zoo, together with all its visitors, supports the protection of vultures by the VCF organization through the "3 CZK for Wildlife" program. In addition, it is fundamentally involved in projects for the repatriation of individual vulture species by providing zoo-raised young for free for release into the wild or to strengthen the genetic base of rescue programs.
