They’ve destroyed roofs, damaged cars and frightened many residents. They pose a health hazard, and besides, they’re just plain annoying. Altavista has, in short, had it up to here with buzzards.
Last week, Town Council voted to spend up to $10,000 as part of a two-pronged approach to rid the community of the pesky birds. The money will go to a U.S. Department of Agriculture effort to trap and move up to 300 buzzards under a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The town has received an additional permit from the Fish and Wildlife Service to kill 35 of the birds. The permits are necessary because buzzards are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. Assistant Town Manager Dan Witt said the USDA could start the process as early as Oct. 29. Continue reading more…. Article source newsadvance.com