Six endangered vultures, whose population in the wild is steadily declining, have been brought to the Houston Zoo. The committee of vultures, a term used to reference a group of vultures, consists of two cape vultures, one Ruppell’s griffon vulture, and three hooded vultures. It’s the first time in the Zoo’s history to house these species of birds. All three are Old World vultures, the same as eagles and hawks. While they share this similarity, they also have distinguishing features:

Cape vultures’ wingspan can reach up to 8.5 feet and are among the largest Old World vultures. They can consume 10% of their body weight in a single feeding.

  • Chiku is one year old, the only female of the committee and comes from St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park. She is friendly but her strong personality makes her the boss of the committee.
  • Nazgul is a three-year-old male and comes from the Albuquerque Biological Park.

Ruppell’s griffon vultures are large with an eight-foot wingspan. They are said to be the highest-flying birds in the world.

  • Bruce is a seven-year-old male and the oldest of the committee. He comes from the Dallas Zoo.

Hooded vultures are smaller Old World vultures. Within this species the males tend to be smaller than females.

  • Buzzy is a one-year-old male and comes from St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park.
  • Flaps is a six-year-old male and come from San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
  • Dizzy is a three-year-old male and comes from St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park.

Guests to the Houston Zoo can see the committee of vultures in the former jaguar habitat next to the cougars.

The population of all three African species in the wild is quickly diminishing. Wild vultures are protected by antipoaching work the Zoo supports in Africa.  The Zoo provides training and support for anti-poaching scouts hired from the local communities to find traps set for wildlife and apprehend poachers in areas where vultures live. The scouts patrol thousands of miles a year to protect wildlife.

Vultures tend to be a misunderstood species that are often viewed as foul because their diets are associated with death. On the contrary, vultures help keep the ecosystem clean and balanced. Their preference for fresh carrion, carcasses vultures eat, allows them to dispose of or consume meat that would otherwise become a breeding ground for disease as it decays.  

By visiting the Zoo, guests are contributing to the Zoo’s wildlife saving efforts, ensuring animals like the vultures, don’t go extinct. A portion of each Zoo admission and membership goes toward helping to protect vultures in the wild.