EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — Vultures may not be the most glamorous birds, but El Paso Zoo & Botanical Gardens staff say they are among the most important when it comes to keeping ecosystems healthy.

Zookeepers and education staff will host a special event near the turkey vulture exhibit featuring animal enrichment, games, hands-on activities and an educational chat about vulture conservation. The zoo says vultures play a critical role by consuming animal carcasses and organic waste, helping prevent the spread of diseases that can threaten wildlife, livestock and people.

Visitors will also meet Dexter, a 2-year-old female turkey vulture that arrived at the zoo in 2025 through its Raptor Rehabilitation Program. The zoo said Dexter suffered a broken right wing and was deemed non-releasable because she is unable to fly at the level needed to survive in the wild. Her name was inspired by the television series “Dexter.”

“Wildlife faces so many challenges out there, many of them due to human impact. This is one way we can help make up for that,” said El Paso Zoo & Botanical Gardens Chief Veterinarian Vikki Milne. “It’s incredibly rewarding when these birds get another chance at life in the wild.”

The zoo said vultures face growing threats from poisoning, illegal killing, electrocution, and collisions with power lines. International Vulture Awareness Day brings attention to those challenges while highlighting the importance of protecting vultures and the ecosystems that depend on them.

The zoo’s Raptor Rehabilitation Program cares for more than 100 wild raptors each year, providing veterinary treatment and rehabilitation to injured birds. The program works with wildlife agencies, El Paso Animal Services, and rescue partners throughout West Texas and southern New Mexico.

The zoo said birds that are able to return to the wild are transferred to regional partners for additional flight conditioning. Non-releasable birds, like Dexter, may become conservation ambassadors, helping educate the public about wildlife and the importance of protecting their species.

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