Vultures are real life superheroes. Often portrayed as the villains, vultures are not only the clean-up and sanitation crew, they are also saving lives. Learn why 50% of all vulture species are endangered and how you can help. Kenny Coogan explores how vultures transform death and decay into life.

Have no fear, vultures are here. We need vultures and much as they need us now. With 50% of all vulture species endangered, there is a vulture crisis.

Vultures play a vital ecological niche in the habitats where they live. In regions of the world where vultures are being killed, incidents of humans with rabies have increased. In India, where nine species of vultures are now endangered, tens of thousands of people die of rabies annually. Although vultures have stomachs of steel and can safely eat diseased meat that contain anthrax, pneumonia, and rabies, vultures face a range of threats in many areas that they inhabit. Much of this is caused by poachers poisoning carcasses to prevent the vultures tipping off park rangers to the death of protected rhinos or elephants. Vulture species are under pressure and many species are facing extinction. We need to save these superheroes, so in turn they can save us.

To celebrate these scavengers, check out International Vulture Awareness Day events in your area.

Kenny Coogan, the educator of this TED-Ed animation, has admired and worked with vultures for many years. Visit his website to learn more and to check out painted feather which highlight vultures.

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