This year, nearly 100 migrating vultures landed in the town of Vinton, Virginia. Police officers fired shots into the air to drive the birds away, and most of them left.
However, town manager Chris Lawrence has announced that more efficient methods are being considered for the vultures' return next year.
Although turkey vultures are protected under the federal Bird Migratory Treaty Act, the town could apply for a federal permit to kill one vulture. The remains would be hung near the other vultures. Lawrence says the vultures would disperse because they don't like to be around their own dead.
Dear Mr. Lawrence,
As a nature lover, I was disturbed to read of your plans to kill a vulture and hang its corpse in Vinton in 2014, as a way to deter other vultures from roosting in your town.
Please reconsider this action; there are other methods, such using lasers or habitat modification, which will will be both effective and humane.
The murder of an innocent bird is not the way to ensure a peaceful co-existence between humans and the natural world.
Thank you for your time and attenetion to this matter.
