Vultures, Cattle, and Compromise: Managing Vulture Conflict in the American Midwest
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): Katie Mills, Kenneth Speirs
Presenter(s): Katie Mills
Mentors(s): Veronica Yovovich
The expanding range of Black Vultures has led to increasing instances of human-wildlife conflict, particularly in relation to livestock production. Although Black Vultures are primarily scavengers, their aggressive behavior of mobbing and targeting vulnerable animals, such as newborn or weakened calves, has raised concerns. These vultures, which typically serve an important ecological role in carcass disposal and disease prevention, have become a source of animosity due to perceived threats to livestock health and economic losses. This project uses a thorough examination of current literature to understand the growing tensions between Black Vultures and ranching communities. By exploring the underlying causes of these conflicts and the impacts, we aim to provide a balanced perspective on the ecological importance of vultures while addressing the needs of livestock producers through an analysis of conflict mitigation tactics and preventative management.