Mark McAllister spent the weekend sharing accomodation with 16-year-old vulture Alex.

Challenge aims to raise awareness of the plight of wild vultures

Animal trainer and presenter Mark McAllister has spent 48 hours in the company of a vulture called Alex to raise awareness of the plight of the birds in the wild.

Over the weekend Alex, a 16-year-old male 6.5kg Ruppell's griffon vulture, shared his accommodation at the Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park in Scotland with Mark as part of activities to highlight International Vulture Awareness Day, held on Saturday 6 September.

Alex and Mark have worked together for two years and have developed a strong bond. Alex has been at the park since 2006 and is arguably the most famous animal in the collection with a role in the movie "Alexander", starring alongside Colin Farrell and Angelina Jolie. Today he is a formidable part of the flying display team at Blair Drummond and ambassador to wild vultures.

Blair Drummond are a funding partner to the International Vulture Programme (of The Hawk Conservancy Trust) and bird keepers work alongside the education team to promote the vital role that wild vultures fulfil, as well as highlighting the grave situation wild vultures face.  Funds for the Programme have been raised by donations from visitors, including audiences at the flying display, with £8,000 raised so far.

Ahead of his 48-hour challenge Mark said:"It's a great chance to bond further with Alex. It's strange to think, as things stand his species could go extinct in the wild in my lifetime. My goal is to raise £4,800 over the weekend to prevent this horrid thought. I hope he likes my PJ's and comfort teddy!"

 Copyright © Neil Davies 2014