Authors: Mikayla Killam, Linda Tschirhart-Hejl, and John M. Tomecek
Black vultures and turkey vultures have been expanding in range and number in recent decades (Buckley et al., 2022; Kirk & Mossman, 2020). Although conflicts between humans and vultures are not a new occurrence, as human populations and urban sprawl also increase, there are bound to be new areas of overlap and new conflicts that develop (Kluever et al., 2020; Quinby et al., 2022). Additionally, shifts in livestock practices that allow for year-round reproduction may have increased opportunities for conflict. While some of the conflict stems from misconceptions about these birds, other areas of conflict are caused by vultures destroying property, predating livestock, or endangering human health and safety (Kluever et al., 2020; Quinby et al., 2022). In some situations, conflicts between humans and vultures require some form of management to minimize the impact of birds becoming a nuisance. When developing plans to manage nuisance wildlife, it is important to remember that these animals play an important role in our ecosystem. Management strategies for native wildlife should work towards coexistence, not elimination. While there can be situations where lethal action is necessary, there are often other effective non-lethal actions that can be taken to improve the existence between humans and vultures. This guide provides managers in rural environments with information to safely and legally address vulture conflicts with or in proximity to livestock operations, rural homes, and other manmade structures. This guide does not address airport-related issues associated with vultures, including the potential for aircraft collision, as those issues are typically handled by full-time wildlife damage management personnel. In this guide, we will review regulations associated with vulture management and provide scientific information so that managers can select the best strategies for their individual situations.
Suggested Citation
Killam, M.M., L. Tschirhart-Hejl, J.M. Tomeček. 2022. Managing Rural Vultures in Proximity to Agriculture: An Integrated Wildlife Damage Management Approach. No. RWFM-PU-397.
