European vulture conference to kick off in Portugal

ANKARA

More than 200 scientists, experts and conservation managers will gather in Portugal on Tuesday for Europe's first conference on the future of vultures.

The European Vulture Conference, hosted by the Vulture Conservation Foundation -- Europe's leading vulture organization -- will continue until Oct. 4 in Portugal's Algarve province.

Recent studies and research on vultures will be presented during the international congress, according to a foundation statement.

"The program features the latest insights on vulture conservation and research by world-leading experts, covering various topics on all four of Europe’s vulture species," it added.

Out of the 23 species of vultures around the world, 16 of them are considered either vulnerable, threatened or endangered, as a result of persecution, poisoning and habitat loss and change.

In order to draw attention to the threats these ecologically vital group of birds face, the first Saturday of September annually was named International Vulture Awareness Day around the world.

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