Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 7 September 2024  – To commemorate the  International Vulture Awareness Day, the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia (Raptors MOU), and a coalition of leading conservation organizations have released a new video highlighting the critical role of vultures in our ecosystems and the urgent need for their protection.

Vultures play an irreplaceable role in our environment. They recycle nutrients, consuming the dead with astonishing efficiency. By doing so, they prevent the spread of diseases. Vultures are nature’s way of keeping our planet clean and our climates stable.

The video, titled "Guardians of the Sky," showcases the beauty, resilience, and ecological importance of vultures. It emphasizes the vital services they provide, such as rapidly consuming carcasses and preventing the spread of diseases. The video also highlights the threats vultures face, including poisoning, habitat loss, and human persecution.

Despite these challenges, the video offers a message of hope and inspiration. It features a cadre of dedicated individuals and organizations working tirelessly to conserve vultures and ensure their survival. The video calls upon viewers to join the fight and support vulture conservation efforts.

The video was produced by the Vulture Conservation Foundation and the Mohamed bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund with additional footage provided also by the following leading organizations on vulture conservation: BirdLife International, Birdwatch Zambia, Caring for Conservation Fund, Endangered Wildlife Trust, Gemeinsam Bayerns Nature Schutzen – LBV, Nickype – Pixabay, and The Peregrine Fund.

The video is available here

“Birds of prey are apex predators and exposed to many threats and are declining rapidly”  says  Umberto Gallo-Orsi, Coordinating Unit of the Raptors MOU “Migratory vultures are the most threatened group among them. Where government, conservationists and local communities cooperate to implement the Vulture Multi-species Action Plan, positive results are rapidly visible, but a lot remains to be done.”.  

Jose’ Tavares, Vulture Conservation Foundation adds: “The video celebrates the conservationists and the thousands of volunteers that are working with success  for their conservation and ultimately for the benefit of the humankind. When resources are available and conservationist alongside local communities  cooperate to tackle threats such as the use of poison baits, vulture populations recover and the crucial ecosystem services they provide are restored”.

“Despite the challenges posed by poisoning and interactions with energy infrastructure, vultures remain nature’s unsung heroes, working tirelessly to keep our ecosystems clean and healthy. Through collaboration and action, we are already seeing the positive impact of conservation efforts. Together, we can ensure these magnificent birds continue to thrive and play their vital role in sustaining our planet for generations to come” said His Excellency Mr Abdulla Ahmed AlQubaisi of the Mohamed Bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund.”

The Raptors MOU and its partners urge governments, communities, and individuals to take action to protect vultures and their habitats. Together, we can ensure that these magnificent birds continue to soar through our skies for generations to come.

For more information: Umberto Gallo-Orsi, Raptors MOU Coordinating Unit  [email protected]  +971 54 5070859

About CMS and the Raptors MOU

The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) is an environmental treaty of the United Nations that provides a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of migratory animals and their habitats. CMS brings together the Range States of migratory animals and lays the legal foundation for internationally coordinated conservation measures throughout their migratory range.

The Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia (Raptors MOU) is an international agreement established under the framework of CMS. It aims to promote internationally coordinated actions to achieve and maintain the favourable conservation status of migratory birds of prey throughout their range in the African-Eurasian region, and to reverse their decline when and where appropriate.

About Vulture Conservation Foundation

The Vulture Conservation Foundation works for the recovery of Europe’s four vulture species by initiating, facilitating and supporting conservation actions and research by working with people and organizations. Our Vision for Europe’s vultures is to see their populations be self-sustaining, healthy and each species having a good conservation status and occupying most of their former ranges, supported by good quality habitats, and valued by people.

About Mohammed Bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund:

The Raptor Conservation Fund was established to develop solutions to key global challenges facing raptors. It was founded by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi. The Fund currently works with partners in four continents across the globe on the conservation of threatened raptors.

Website: www.raptorconservationfund.com    (soon to be changed to www.mbzraptorfund.org)

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