I am privileged to work with three different vultures species, the largest being our White-Backed Vulture, Humbug, who this image is based on. <3
Vultures are amazing birds and I wish more people appreciated them. :( They clean the ecosystem of carcasses and diseases, and point the way for rangers to find poachers! Sadly, they are suffering from habitat loss, indiscriminate poisoning, trade for traditional medicine, hunting, and heavy persecution.

The White-Backed Vulture (Gyps africanus) has gone from being categorised as ‘Least Concern’ in 2006 to being ‘Critically Endanged’ in 2015.

They have had a population decline of 90% since 1997.

Think that’s bad?

Out of the 23 vultures species on the planet, 10 are on the edge of extinction.

The Slender-Billed Vulture (Gyps tenuirostris) may have as few as 1000 individuals left in the wild. They have had a population decline of 97% since the mid 1990′s.
The White-Rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) has had a population decline of 99% since the early 1990′s.

People are predicting total extinction of these two species within the next decade or two.

Vultures used to be revered in so many cultures. Please help save vultures! It is Vulture Awareness Day today. Save The Vultures!
Remember guys - Extinction is Forever.

WIPs and more of my art can be found on my Tumblr: http://bandarai.tumblr.com/tagged/my-art

Reference © Abyssus-Angelus @ dA
Artwork © Bandarai