By Scout Nelson
A new bill, called the Black Vultures Relief Act, was reintroduced in the U.S. Senate to help ranchers protect their livestock. The legislation would allow livestock owners to defend their animals from black vultures without first having to apply for a depredation permit from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS). A companion bill was also introduced in the House of Representatives.
Black vultures are currently protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. This law requires farmers to get official permission before they can remove these birds. However, the black vulture population has grown rapidly over the years. According to a U.S. Geological Survey Breeding Bird Survey, their numbers have risen by about 468% since 1990, now reaching more than 190 million birds.
These birds often gather in flocks of over 20 and have been known to attack livestock. They mainly target newborn calves and can also attack cows during or after giving birth. USDA Wildlife Services reported that between 2020 and 2025, vulture attacks on cattle increased by nearly 25%.
While black vultures are mostly seen in the Southeast and Midwest, their presence has expanded as far north as New York and Michigan and as far west as Arizona.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and 14 state cattlemen’s groups, including the Kansas Livestock Association (KLA), have expressed strong support for the bill.
This legislation is aimed at giving farmers and ranchers more flexibility in managing threats to their livestock while maintaining a balanced approach to wildlife protection. If passed, it could significantly reduce losses for cattle producers affected by these aggressive birds.
Photo Credit:kansas-livestock-foundation
Categories: Kansas, Livestock