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Limassol celebrates International Vulture Awareness Day

vultures

Just 23 vulture species exist around the world and they are known to be nature’s cleaning crew. By eating carrion, they help clean up the environment, which prevents the spread of disease from rotting carcasses and with a threat of them becomming extinct, environmental groups have called it time to protect them. As such, the first Saturday of every September is marked as International Vulture Awareness Day.

Zoos, bird refuges and environmental organisations around the globe participate each year by organising fun days with informational activities about vultures to spread awareness on how fascinating and valuable these birds are. This year, Cyprus too will participate in the festivities with a dedicated event taking place on Molos Promenade in Limassol.

BirdLife Cyprus and Terra Cypria, planning the September 3 event, are part of the LIFE with Vultures programme, a targeted conservation project for the protection of the Griffon Vulture in Cyprus. “In this four-year endeavour (2019-2023),” say organisers, “BirdLife Cyprus, the Game and Fauna Service, Terra Cypria – The Cyprus Conservation Foundation and the Vulture Conservation Foundation have joined forces to tackle the main threats facing the Griffon Vulture and prevent Cyprus’ most threatened bird of prey from going extinct.”

The fun activities for children and adults start at 5.30pm at Molos with a range of events taking place inviting children into arts and crafts creations and floor games. Then a storytelling performance by Vangelis Gettos and Marina Katsari will take place at Molos’ open-air amphitheatre at 7.30pm while an information point will share vital insights in the life of vultures and why it is vital to protect them.

“The International Vulture Awareness Day is dedicated to the world’s 23 vulture species and the international efforts to conserve and protect them,” add the organisers. “As nature’s clean-up crew, vultures are an integral part of the ecosystem, removing contaminants from the soil and water and regulating the occurrence and spread of diseases.

“But 75 per cent of the world’s vultures are threatened with extinction, due to the illegal placement of poison baits in the wild. Halting the dramatic decline of their populations and restoring many species to their ‘old glory’ is a long-term challenge, which requires coordinated action at local and international level. In Cyprus,” they conclude, “the LIFE with Vultures project team is working tirelessly to save the Griffon Vulture, the only vulture species on the island, from going extinct in Cyprus.”

 

International Vulture Awareness Day

Event with children’s activities, performances and info desks. September 3. Molos Promenade, Limassol. 5.30pm. Free. Facebook event. www.lifewithvultures.eu

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