The vanishing vultures

In 2006 RSPB Wildlife Explorers raised a staggering £29,319 for their Vanishing Vultures appeal.

The money they raised has gone towards running safe breeding centres for the vultures.

Scientists discovered that a drug vets gave to cows and sheep to keep them well was poisoning the vultures. When the animals died, the drug stayed in their bodies. Because the vultures ate the bodies, they swallowed the drug too. The drug was harmless to mammals, but deadly to vultures.

You can find out more about the vultures by clicking the link on the right. You can also read the vulture diary written by RSPB researchers to find out how we've helped to get the drug banned and worked with scientists to find an alternative.