Charles Paddock Zoo celebrating ‘International Vulture Awareness Day’
King Vultures at the Charles Paddock Zoo – photo by Christa Lam.
Guests invited to learn more about nature’s clean up crew
– This Saturday from 10-2 pm, guests to the Charles Paddock Zoo are invited to learn about nature’s clean-up crew and how vitally important vultures are to the ecosystem at an International Vulture Awareness Day celebration.
Guess what vultures use as one of their main forms of defense? Vomit! New world vultures, such as our resident king vulture, will often empty their stomach load to make takeoff easier when threatened by an attacker. The putrid vomited meal may also distract the predator; giving the bird more time to escape. They also use their vomit as a foul-smelling predator repellant around their nesting site. In honor of this fun fact, we will host the “Vulture Vomit Toss” – an interactive game for all ages. Guests can throw “vomit” in the form of green slime, at a few targets that are “threats” to the vulture. Also, visit the zoo’s information table which will have fun facts, coloring, and drawing. At 11 a.m., the zoo’s king vulture will receive special enrichment during a zookeeper talk.
The Charles Paddock Zoo is one of only 239 total institutions that are accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). The zoo is dedicated to the conservation of endangered species, educating the public about the natural world, and providing a safe and stimulating recreational resource for residents and visitors of the Central Coast of California. There are over 300 animal species to enjoy at the Charles Paddock Zoo, and many are part of a globally managed program to preserve animals and their habitats. The zoo features several unique species not often seen in facilities of its size, including fossa, red pandas, Malayan tiger, lemurs, and meerkats, as well as many other exciting and interesting mammals, birds, reptiles and insects.
The Charles Paddock Zoo is located next to Atascadero Lake Park on Highway 41. All activities for International Vulture Awareness Day are free with zoo admission. Regular general admission to the zoo is $12/ person (Adults 13 & over); Ages 5-12 $8.00; Ages 3-4 $5.00; Seniors 65+ $10/ person, Children 2 and Under Free.
For more information about the zoo, visit www.charlespaddockzoo.org or call (805) 461-5080, and for more information about Atascadero, www.VisitAtascadero.com.
