Muncaster Castle supports International Vulture Awareness Day

Part of the team at Muncaster Castle's mission is to protect vultures in the wild across the world. 

Vultures with a trainer (Image: Muncaster Castle)

They thanked everyone who helped them support their goal by visiting the castle and watching the bird attractions. 

In a post on social media, Muncaster Castle wrote: "We had a blast at the weekend celebrating International Vulture Awareness Day. 

Pumpkin the Owl (Image: Muncaster Castle)

"Thank you to everybody who joined us and supported our mission to protect vultures in the wild. 

"The biggest thank you goes to our team of African Hooded Vultures, including Malarkey here, who work as important ambassadors to raise awareness about the plight of vultures.

"Hooded Vultures are critically endangered, and threatened with extinction due to poisoning, poaching, and habitat loss.

A bird display at Muncaster Castle (Image: Muncaster Castle)

"So well done to Malarkey and his friends, who will continue to inspire thousands of people every year to love vultures."

The International Vulture Awareness Day team says that vultures are often misunderstood, they describe them as 'nature's cleaner' and that they help to protect ecosystems. 

Wampa the baby Snow Owl (Image: Muncaster Castle)

The bird species are currently facing a 'global crisis' as populations worldwide are facing a 'catastrophic decline' due to threats like direct and indirect poisoning, illegal killing, and electrocutions or collisions with power lines. 

The team says that without these birds in the sky, the consequences for the environment could be 'severe.' 

Muncaster Castle has a Hawk and Owl Centre where they house an array of birds of prey. 

Wampa the baby Snow Owl (Image: Muncaster Castle)

A spokesperson said: "The Centre comprises the lawned Owl Garden with aviaries and mews, plus the adjacent Old Rose Garden where there is a flying arena.

"The Centre is home to a diverse range of birds for you to wonder at and enjoy, from massive to minute and bizarre to familiar but all rarely seen up close.

Vultures with a trainer (Image: Muncaster Castle)

"Entry to the Centre is through the Owl Garden Tearoom where you can pick up drinks and snacks, and a range of bird-and wildlife-oriented giftware."