The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Wildlife Services are working together to provide assistance to livestock producers to minimize the impacts of predation from Black Vultures.

Black Vulture attacks on livestock are recognized as a potentially serious threat to Virginia’s livestock industry. As a result, VDACS has obtained a master depredation permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) which will allow VDACS to offer sub-permits to Virginia livestock producers, authorizing these producers to “take”, through lethal means, Black Vultures attacking their livestock.

Livestock producers who are experiencing Black Vulture depredation can apply for the sub-permit, at no charge, which allows the lethal “take” of up to five (5) Black Vultures per year. Producers wishing to take more than five (5) Black Vultures must obtain their own individual depredation permit. Applicants must agree to follow all master depredation permit and sub-permit requirements listed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in the VDACS statewide permit.

The sub-permits will be issued as part of the Virginia Cooperative Wildlife Damage Control Program, a cooperative program between VDACS and USDA APHIS Wildlife Services to provide assistance to livestock producers to minimize the impacts of wildlife predation on livestock.

To apply for a Black Vulture depredation sub-permit or for more information on the sub-permit requirements, please contact Chad Fox with the USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services at 540.381.7387 or email at chad.j.fox@usda.gov.