L.A. ZOO CELEBRATES ‘INTERNATIONAL VULTURE AWARENESS DAY’ WITH CALIFORNIA CONDOR EXPERT PANEL

L.A. ZOO CELEBRATES 'INTERNATIONAL VULTURE AWARENESS DAY' WITH CALIFORNIA CONDOR EXPERT PANEL

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(Credit: © Los Angeles Zoo)

LOS ANGELES, CA - Sept. 9, 2024 - In honor of International Vulture Awareness Day
(IVAD; Sept. 7), the Los Angeles Zoo hosted an evening event featuring an expert panel on
vulture conservation. The event, Condor Cliffhangers: Adventures Saving the California
Condor, brought much needed awareness to the importance of vulture species, the role they
play in the ecosystem, and their dire need for conservation and protection.

The Zoo's Director of Conservation, Dr. Jake Owens, served as moderator for the evening.
Featured speakers included Chris Parish, The Peregrine Fund President and CEO; and Chandra
David and Mike Clark, L.A. Zoo Animal Keepers and members of the Zoo's California condor
care team.

"Vulture populations are at an extremely high risk of extinction throughout the world," said
Dr. Owens. "Human activities have caused their populations to dwindle, and it will take human
actions to help save these incredible bird species from extinction. We want to inspire
Angelenos and the wider community to learn more about these vitally important species and
what they can do to help support their conservation."

The California condor is a vulture species that the Los Angeles Zoo has been working to
recover since the 1980s, when there were only 22 individuals remaining on Earth. The Zoo's
work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's California Condor Recovery Program continues
today and has been integral to the rebound of wild populations.

Vultures are nature's clean-up crew and minimize the disease load in the environment by
consuming carcasses that harbor them. Some vulture species have lost up to 90 percent of their
populations, and the L.A. Zoo annually leverages IVAD to help educate the community and
raise awareness about vultures and the threats they face. In addition to the work with California
condors, the L.A. Zoo is actively working to conserve six species of African vultures through
the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE)
African Vulture Program.

To learn more about IVAD, vulture conservation, and ways to help support vulture
conservation, please visit the Zoo's website at www.lazoo.org/IVAD.

About the Los Angeles Zoo
The Los Angeles Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is dedicated to providing exemplary animal care and well-being. As a trusted leader in local and global conservation efforts, the Los Angeles Zoo is saving wildlife and connecting Angelenos to the natural world by delivering diverse
learning opportunities and creating unforgettable experiences. The lush 133-acre campus and its passionate and dedicated team welcome all to be inspired by the Zoo's vision to create a just and sustainable world where people and wildlife thrive, together. The Zoo is located on Zoo Drive in Griffith Park at the junction
of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways. Admission is $22 for adults and $17 for children ages 2 to 12. For information, call (323) 644-4200 or visit the L.A. Zoo website at www.lazoo.org.