The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores wants to help vultures with their image problem, and also wants to spread the word about the dangers threatening these big birds worldwide.
From Sept. 1-3 the aquarium will join in an International Vulture Awareness celebration. The effort is aimed at illuminating vultures’ essential role in the ecosystem as part of nature’s clean-up crew, according to the press release. Their consumption of carrion may sound unappealing, but it helps prevent the spread of many diseases.
Sponsor Spotlight
As with other wildlife, a range of threats endanger these intelligent animals around the globe. Some of their woes include lead poisoning, toxicity, being killed as pests, and the effects of the pesticide DDT on eggshell strength.
At the aquarium, find out how you can help vultures while you experience close-up encounters with live vultures, make a craft vulture to take home and participate in interactive activities in Discovery Classroom. Get a feel for vulture anatomy by touching wings, feet and other biofacts, and enjoy other programs about vultures.
Native black vultures and turkey vultures are popular stars of the Bird’s-Eye View free flight bird show held daily and the aquarium. Vulture Awareness Day activities and Bird’s-Eye View are free with admission or membership.
The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is five miles west of Atlantic Beach at 1 Roosevelt Blvd., Pine Knoll Shores, NC 28512. The Aquarium is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For more information, see www.ncaquariums.com/pine-
