The West Lothian Courier has teamed up with Blair Drummond Safari Park to offer readers the chance to win a family pass for two adults and two children each week - and learn more about their residents at the same time.
Last week the park celebrated International Vulture Awareness Day.
The day is designed to increase awareness of the range of threats faced by vultures.
Vultures are one of the most threatened groups of birds in the world with several species at extreme risk of extinction.
Since the 1980s it is estimated that the vulture population has declined by up to 97 per cent.
Park communications and conservation manager Jamie-Leigh Green said: “Vultures are at great risk from many human activities including electrocutions from electrical structures, poisonings, and decreases in food availability.
“Vultures are often misunderstood and stereotyped as ‘ugly’, ‘dirty’ or even ‘evil’, thanks in part to how they have been portrayed in popular media. However, this could not be farther from the truth.
“Vultures are surprisingly hygienic animals and will go to great lengths to ensure that they stay as clean as possible. The reason they have no feathers on their head is to stop them from getting dirty while they are digging into a carcass for their dinner.
“They are also an incredibly ecologically important species. Vultures act as nature’s bin men, and as such are essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems. With a stomach acid between 0 and 1, vultures can break down and remove deadly diseases from our environment. A vulture’s stomach acid is so strong, it can even dissolve metal.
“Here at the park, we are home to a lovely hooded vulture named Kevin. Hooded vultures are one of the smallest species of vulture, and Kevin weighs in at about 1.8kg.
"If you are ever wondering how Kevin is feeling, you can actually tell by the colour of his face. When Kevin is relaxed, his face is pale. When he gets excited, his face turns bright pink. If his face turns white, get out of they way!
"A very white face indicates that Kevin is scared, and when he feels scared, he may induce vomiting. It may sound gross, but this tactic is an effective method for driving away any predators.”
Blair Drummond Safari Park is open seven days a week, from 10am until 5.30pm. Tickets can be booked online at blairdrummond.com.
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