X

Adopt a vulture

Adopt a vulture – Meet Simba!

If you’d like to adopt a vulture that is a Critically Endangered species, then adopt Simba the African White-backed Vulture!

Simba the African White-backed Vulture has lived at the Hawk Conservancy Trust his whole life, hatching out of his egg in 2019. He has always been a really confident character, even around new people, and absolutely relishes the opportunity to take to the skies in our Masters of the Sky flying display every day during the summer season. He soars beautifully from our towers, right over the top of our visitors’ heads!

Alongside many of the vultures that live at the Trust, Simba is part of the EEP (European Ex-situ) Breeding Programme for his species. As African White-backed Vultures are Critically Endangered, this breeding programme is vital for the preservation of this species should their wild counterparts sadly become extinct. When Simba is old enough, we will begin to look for a suitable female for him to settle down with, hopefully starting a family of his own.

Simba is one of the loveliest vultures you could wish to meet – he always puts his best talon forward and his gentle manners make him a favourite amongst our team and visitors alike.

If you’d like to adopt a vulture and help us to conserve this important species then you can adopt our adorable vulture, Simba.

Adopt a vulture today! Our adoption packages below provide the perfect gift.

Adopt a vulture from £25

If you choose to adopt a bird of prey or owl you will be helping towards the care of our birds and conservation work that takes place in the UK and overseas. It is a gift that keeps on giving.  You could adopt a vulture as a gift or for yourself.  Choose from the various vulture adoption options below.

Digital

Our Digital Adoption packs make a fantastic present for bird fanatics! This digital package arrives straight into your email inbox for you to forward on to your chosen recipient, or print out for yourself. There’s no packaging, no waiting on the post, and a lesser impact on the environment.

As part of your Digital Adoption pack, you will receive by email:

  • A digital  certificate of adoption
  • A digital fact sheet about your adopted species
  • A digital, high-resolution photo of your adoptee

Your fees, which are renewable annually, contribute to the care of our birds.

£25

Adopt a Vulture
Digital+

Digital+ Adoption packs have all the benefits of our Digital Adoptions, plus the chance to come and see your adoptee at the Hawk Conservancy Trust’s award-winning Visitor Attraction Centre! As part of your Digital+ Adoption pack, you will receive by email:

  • An admission eVoucher to the Trust so that you can visit us and see your adoptee
  • Your name displayed on our Adoptions board
  • A digital  certificate of adoption
  • A digital fact sheet about your adopted species
  • A digital, high-resolution photo of your adoptee

Your fees, which are renewable annually, contribute to the care of our birds.

£40

Adopt a Vulture
Adoption

Our Adoption Pack makes a wonderful gift for bird lovers of all ages. For just £60, you will receive in your adoption pack:

  • An admission ticket to the Trust so that you can visit us and see your adoptee
  • Your name displayed on our Adoptions Board
  • A certificate of adoption
  • A fact sheet about your adopted species
  • A mounted photo of your adoptee
  • A memento of your adopted species

All of this will be delivered in a beautiful Hawk Conservancy Trust embellished box.  Your fees, which are renewable annually, contribute to the care of our birds.

£60

Adopt a Vulture
Come and see Simba!

Simba is a fantastic ambassador for his species, the Ciritcally Endangered African White-backed Vulture, He lives in one of our large aviaries at our award-winning Visitor Attraction Centre in Hampshire. Alongside other vultures, Simba takes to the sky everyday in our summer season as part of our finale for Masters of the Sky flying display.

Our work with African White-backed Vultures

Deliberate poisoning by elephant poachers accounts for one third of all vulture poisonings since 1970 and it is one of the biggest causes of vulture deaths. Elephant poachers target vultures with poison because they circle over carcasses – hundreds can die at one poisoned carcass.

Our Poison Response training equips game guards to treat poisoned vultures and decontaminate poisoning events to prevent further deaths. A quick response and effective use of Poison Response Kits can save hundreds of vultures and other wildlife from death by poisoning.

See our other birds of prey

Adopt a bird of prey FAQ's

What types of birds of prey can I adopt?

There are seven birds of prey that you can adopt: Sweeney Todd the Snowy Owl, Charlie the Barn Owl, Simba the African White-backed Vulture, Angola the Secretary Bird, Raj the Peregrine Falcon, Cottonmouth the Burrowing Owl or Orion the Bald Eagle. Please note Cottonmouth the Burrowing Owl is only available as a Digital or Digital Plus adoption exclusively.

 

Can I meet the bird of prey I have adopted?

If you choose our Digital+ or Standard Bird of Prey Adoption pack, you will have an admission voucher included in your adoption pack for you to visit the Hawk Conservancy Trust. If you ask a member of our team on arrival they will be able to show you where your adopted bird of prey’s aviary is around the Trust Grounds so you can see them.

 

How long does my Bird of Prey Adoption last for?

All Bird of Prey Adoptions last one year from date of purchase.

 

Does my Adoption automatically renew?

Your Bird of Prey Adoption does not automatically renew, however you will receive an email before your adoption is about to expire notifying you of the approaching expiry date and a reminder to renew.

 

Will my name be on a plaque?

If you have adopted a bird of prey with our Digital+ or Standard Adoption packs, you can find your name on our Adoptions Board next to our Rose Arch. Premium Adoptions will have the adoptee’s name on a plaque on the adopted bird of prey’s aviary.

Did you know?
The Turkey Vulture is most famous for its well-developed sense of smell and ability to find carcasses beneath the forest canopy. Because of this, they’re often followed by other scavengers like Black Vultures, which often try to steal their food.
©2024 Hawk Conservancy Trust