MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) announces they will begin administering the Black Vulture Depredation Sub-Permit program to protect livestock. Livestock producers experiencing depredation from black vultures may apply for this no cost permit to take up to three birds. The permit is good for this calendar year and must be renewed each year.

All applicants for the depredation sub-permit must agree to the requirements found in the Authorizations and Conditions section of the black vulture depredation permitting page at agi.alabama.gov. These authorizations and conditions are part of the statewide permit issued to ADAI by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). ADAI cannot alter these provisions.

All approved applicants will be allowed to take up to three black vultures as long as the statewide take number has not exceeded 500. Approved applicants must report each take within 48 hours. If 500 vultures are harvested in the state, applicants will receive an email notifying them that no more vultures may be taken during the permit period.

Approved applicants are not allowed to take any other migratory bird species. Even if an approved applicant does not harvest any black vultures, they must login to their account and report “no birds taken,” no later than December 31, 2023.

“The department received multiple reports of black vultures attacking and killing calves from the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association and cattle owners,” said Commissioner Rick Pate. “As a result, we applied for and were granted a Migratory Bird Depredation Permit through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This permit allows livestock producers to manage these predatory vultures.”

For more information, visit agi.alabama.gov.

Any livestock producer experiencing severe depredation from black vultures is encouraged to apply for an individual migratory bird depredation permit from the USFWS and/or work with USDA APHIS Wildlife Services (WS). Alabama’s WS office may be reached at 334-844-5670 or toll free at 1-866-4USDA-WS. Producers cannot be issued a depredation permit by USFWS and apply for and be approved for the ADAI depredation sub-permit.