Agricultural News
Black Vultures: An Increasing Nuisance for Oklahoma Cattlemen and Cattlewomen
Fri, 01 Oct 2021 10:45:38 CDT
Most Oklahomans' relationships with vultures do not go any deeper than when they whiz by birds scavenging on carrion on roadsides or when they are noticed circling the skies on sunny days. Oklahoma ranchers, on the other hand, have a long and sordid relationship with black vultures.
Scott Alls, state director at USDA APHIS Wildlife Services for Oklahoma, talked with KC Sheperd, associate farm director for Radio Oklahoma Ag Network, about how problems arise for both black vultures and ranchers when the birds prey on newborn calves.
"We have probably had them for fifteen or twenty years, but due to remoteness, a lot of people did not realize that they are the predator that they are," Alls said. "A lot of times, when a producer found a calf being fed upon, they assumed it was still-born or maybe taken by coyotes, when in reality, it may have been preyed upon by these vultures."
Oklahoma is home to two species of vultures: turkey vultures and black vultures - both serving an important role in Mother Nature's clean-up crew. There are some important differences, which play into why black vultures are in trouble while turkey vultures are not.
Turkey vultures have poor eyesight and primarily rely on a strong sense of smell to detect food and they do not tend to flock together. On the other hand, black vultures primarily rely on sight to detect food and tend to flock together, meaning they can detect potential food sources like a newborn calf and have the strength in numbers to turn an opportunity into a meal.
When black vultures begin to prey on livestock, ranchers are left with few solutions because vultures are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which requires a permit to "take" or kill protected birds.
"What we have done here in Oklahoma is ODAFF has become the permit holder," Alls said.
He is talking about a master depredation permit. Just this year, with ODAFF licensed as the master permit holder, Oklahoma livestock producers can apply for a livestock protection depredation sub-permit - allowing five legal "takes" of black vultures at no cost.
"In the past, if you went through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for a depredation permit, it would take you several weeks to receive it," Alls said. "(Now,) we can have you approved in twenty-four hours."
There are requirements and producers must prove that they have a predation problem with black vultures before the state grants them a sub-permit, Alls said.
There are also non-lethal ways to deter black vultures and protect cattle, Alls said.
Hit the LISTEN BAR below to hear KC Sheperd's conversation with Scott Alls as they discuss this issue.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
Top Agricultural News
More Headlines...