BLACK VULTURES PLAGUE OHIO

This story is not news to farmers and ranchers, but it is to this writer. The problems associated with black vultures have been experienced in the southern states for decades, but only recently have the vultures shown up in Ohio. There have been increasing numbers of complaints of the vultures destroying livestock and property.

Unlike turkey vultures, which eat carcasses and rarely attack livestock, black vultures will go after piglets, sheep and cows as well as dead animals.

[ . . . ]

It's not just sheep and cattle being targeted. The vultures tear at roof shingles, lawn chairs, windshield wiper blades on cars and even pink plastic flamingoes in lawns.

As native birds, the black vultures are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and elimination of the problem requires federal permission. Biologists and bird lovers are opposed to killing the black vultures.