WASHINGTON, D.C.—Last July, U.S. Forest Service wildlife biologist Jo Santiago’s phone rang just as she was gutting dead mice for six raptors under her care—the non-releasable birds are part of the agency’s Migratory Species Outreach Program, which includes an inspirational presentation about conservation. Santiago put down her tools and removed her gloves to take the call. A dispatcher with Randolph County, West Virginia’s, Office of Emergency Management was on the line and needed help: a resident had found a badly injured vulture and didn’t know what to do. 

With more than 30 years as a licensed raptor handler and rehabilitator, Santiago knew that time was of the essence. Just like with people, the sooner an injured bird gets medical assistance, the better. Within 90 minutes, Santiago organized transportation for the injured bird to veterinarian Dr. Jesse Fallon at the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia in Morgantown. 

Dr. Fallon determined that the injured bird, a black vulture (Corapgys atratus), would need several months to heal from an old gunshot wound and a broken beak. For weeks, the bird remained in the intensive care unit, and was hand fed and closely monitored by center staff. 

Popular culture stigmatizes vultures, which are sometimes targeted by hunters and property owners. Despite their negative image, vultures provide crucial ecosystem services, including acting as nature’s “clean-up crew.” Their strong stomach acid neutralizes dangerous pathogens—including rabies, anthrax, botulism toxin, polio and cholera—found in the carcasses they eat. International Vulture Awareness Day is held annually on Sept. 4 to raise awareness about this important raptor species and promote the benefits they bring to ecosystems. 

The good news is that the injured vulture has now fully recovered. Jo Santiago will release the vulture with the property owner who initially found the bird, and their family and friends.