This illustration features a Rüppell’s griffon, a species of vulture indigenous to east Africa. These birds have been spotted cruising, much like airplanes, at an altitude of 37,000 feet, which makes them the highest flying birds recorded to date. Adult Rüppell’s griffons can reach a wingspan of 8.5 feet! Unfortunately, Rüppell’s griffons are critically endangered due to a combination of habitat loss and incidental poisoning, incurred when they scavenge lions or hyenas poisoned as retaliation for consuming cattle.

$5 from every print sale will be donated to The Peregrine Fund. This organization works for vulture conservation and also helps run the Coexistence Co-Op, a partnership between wildlife charities Lion Landscapes and The Peregrine Fund, which works actively against the retaliatory poisoning of large predators in Kenya's Masai Mara. [HOLIDAY PRICING: through the end of 2024, this purchase will send an extra $5 to The Peregrine Fund.]

This piece was done in watercolor and pen on high quality watercolor paper, scanned, and then reprinted at 10x18 on environmentally friendly Hahnemühle bamboo paper.

The original piece is available. It measures 14x20 and it is priced as an original, which means that its purchase sends a significantly higher donation to The Peregrine Fund. Please email me with inquiries.