Last week, it was sunny and pleasant. And there's nothing a turkey vulture likes more than sunning itself, unless it's a roadkill raccoon.
Plus, vultures are highly intelligent and curious, easily bored. Dr. Louise Conrad took our vulture out for a change of scenery and a little time in the sun.
Why is she here? Zoe was hit by a truck in Western North Carolina and rehabbed at the American Eagle Foundation in Pigeon Forge. She eventually healed but needed a home. I wrote an article about her change of fortune for The Hellbender Press just after she arrived at Ijams.
She's now an education animal, part of the Education Department. We use her to talk about the unique role vultures and other decomposers have in nature.
She's lived with us in an enclosure near the parking lot for over seven years. Quiet and peaceful. Can you see the smile in the above photo? Well, actually I think they both are smiling.
The vulture eats three mice a day at a cost of about $1.50 per. If you would like to to donate money for Animal Care at Ijams and help us feed our many educational animals—birds, turtles, snakes, fish, mudpuppy, frogs—call Jill (865) 577-4717, ext. 123. Specify Animal Care.
- Text and photo, Stephen Lyn Bales
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