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Underappreciated vultures' carrion eating benefits humans

If you don’t see much to love about a vulture picking at a decaying carcass, keep reading. There’s evidence that the value of these birds’ dead-animal diets is much greater than many people realize.

People can learn more about vultures Feb. 23 at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s “Vulture Venture” event at Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery near Branson. The event is from noon until 5 p.m.

The vulture most common here in the Ozarks is the turkey vulture (Cathartes aura), although black vultures (Coragyps atratus) are also seen in this region.