"Clean up on arroyos three" You may be used to seeing turkey vultures along the side of the road, but did you know they play a critical role in the ecosystems? As scavengers, they feed primarily on carrion, helping to clean up dead animals that could otherwise spread disease. By consuming decaying carcasses, they prevent the spread of pathogens like anthrax or botulism. Their highly acidic stomachs can neutralize harmful bacteria, ensuring these diseases don't spread in the environment. As an added bonus, their feeding habits reduce the need for other disposal methods, indirectly supporting the budget of local communities and ecosystems by keeping predator-prey dynamics in check. Yet, in light of that, they receive little thanks and are actually harmed by the humans they help. In the U.S., studies have shown that lead poisoning is a leading cause of mortality for scavengers like turkey vultures, particularly in areas with heavy hunting activity. They most often die from ingesting carrion contaminated with lead shot or fragments from animals or scraps left behind. When vultures feed on these remains, they ingest the lead, which can cause neurological damage, impaired flight, and death. Their deaths mean diseases spread. They also face other threats, including habitat loss, collisions, and intentional poisoning resulting from illegal baiting targeting other wildlife. That mouse poison in your garage? It's killing them, too. Vultures play a critical role in our environment. We need them, and so do you! Let's do our part to keep them safe! - Drive with care. If safe, please remove carrion from the roads to help protect all of nature's scavengers. - Don't be a reckless hunter. We'd prefer nothing is shot, but if you're going hunt, don't leave injured or deceased animals behind. Those innards can carry lead too, so ALWAYS choose lead-free! - Skip rodent poison. As a wildlife rehabber, we've seen too many preventable, agonizing deaths from this. &Prioritize prevention first and foremost*, then humane alternatives. Together, we can ensure these vital scavengers thrive! Fly on, vulture. FLY!!! (fb)

We're not just passionate about protecting wild horses—we're also huge fans of the unsung heroes of the plains: coyotes! These resilient creatures are vital to the health of our land, and their story deserves to be celebrated. Coyotes are nature's balancers. They keep ecosystems thriving by controlling rodent populations, eliminating the sick, preventing overgrazing, and ensuring smaller animals don't overwhelm the land. Their presence supports biodiversity, allowing native plants to flourish and creating healthier habitats for all wildlife—including our beloved mustangs. By scavenging carrion, coyotes clean the landscape, reducing disease and keeping the cycle of life in motion. Their adaptability and cunning inspire us to embrace resilience in the face of challenges. At our sanctuaries, we see coyotes as partners in preserving the wild. While we care for our mustangs, we cherish hearing the coyote's chorus, knowing they're doing their part to keep the land vibrant. Together, we can keep the West wild and thriving! (fb)