Some Hot Springs residents are outraged over the killing of two turkey vultures as a means to deter other vultures from the area.
The Game, Fish and Parks Department killed the two birds as a last resort to move large numbers of vultures from the grounds of the State Veterans Home.
Turkey vultures are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. That means killing them is a federal offense; unless their presence is considered a threat to health or safety.
While the State Veterans Home complained of dozens of nesting Turkey Vultures some Hot Springs residents showed outrage when they saw two dead vultures hanging from trees on the grounds of the State Veterans Home.
State Game, Fish and Parks spokesman John Kanta wants to dispel rumors that all the vultures might be killed.
“The Game and Fish would never look to eliminate a group of vultures,” Kanta commented. “I can tell you that we have had some extreme cases where we’ve killed more than a few vultures, but that’s typically a very last resort.”
Kanta says that Game, Fish and Parks has addressed similar issues with turkey vultures in Rapid City and Sturgis.
He says the two dead vultures already seem to be driving the nesting vultures away and adds that their migration to the area is pretty much over. Residents counter that more vultures will arrive into the summer months.