Vultures play a critical role in the environment, cleaning up carcasses and acting as nature’s garbagemen. However, black vultures (Cathartes aura) are unique among New World vultures in that they are reported to kill vulnerable and newborn livestock, creating a financial burden to producers. Estimates suggest that black vulture depredation results in the losses of thousands to tens of thousands of cattle in the US annually.

Tagged Black Vulture