Spatial risk modeling of cattle depredation by black vultures in the midwestern United States

Abstract

Negative economic impacts resulting from wildlife disrupting livestock operations through depredation of stock are a cause of human-wildlife conflict. Management of such conflict requires identifying environmental and non-environmental factors specific to a wildlife species' biology and ecology that influence the potential for livestock depredation to occur. Identification of such factors can improve understanding of the conditions placing livestock at risk. Black vultures (Coragyps atratus) have expanded their historical range northward into the midwestern United States. Concomitantly, an increase in concern among agricultural producers regarding potential black vulture attacks on livestock has occurred. We estimated area with greater or lesser potential for depredation of domestic cattle by black vultures across a 6-state region in the midwestern United States using an ensemble of small models (ESM). Specifically, we identified landscape-scale spatial factors, at a zip code resolution, associated with reported black vulture depredation on cattle in midwestern landscapes to predict future potential livestock depredation. We hypothesized that livestock depredation would be greatest in areas with intensive beef cattle production close to preferred black vulture habitat (e.g., areas with fewer old fields and early successional vegetation paired with more direct edge between

Livestock producers' perceptions of the American black vulture conflict in the midwestern United States

“…Importantly, producers whose operations are closer to large black vulture roosts will likely see vultures more frequently. Thus, we suggest that developing effective predictive models of black vulture roost locations (Hill et al 2021) as well as of locations where conflict with livestock producers is most likely to be greatest (Quinby et al 2022) is paramount. Understanding such spatial relations with risk factors might lead to prioritization of allocation of resources or outreach efforts in places where their impacts would be greater.…”

Science-Driven Guidelines Neededto Better Manage and Conserve Avian Scavengers in North America

“…This information is collected for all legal lethal take of vultures, an indemnity program that is applied for through local United State Department of Agriculture offices of the Farm Services Agency. Analysis of conflict reports can provide important insights into phenomena underlying conflict (Quinby et al 2022). Greater coordination between the federal wildlife regulatory and management agencies and the Farm Service Agency may help standardize the procedure for determining when compensation to livestock producers due to verified depredation is warranted.…”

Science‐driven guidelines needed to better manage and conserve black vultures in North America

“…This information is collected for all legal lethal take of vultures, an indemnity program that is applied for through local United State Department of Agriculture offices of the Farm Services Agency. Analysis of conflict reports can provide important insights into phenomena underlying conflict (Quinby et al, 2022). Greater coordination between the federal wildlife regulatory and management agencies and the Farm Service Agency may help to standardize the procedure for determining when compensation to livestock producers due to verified depredation is warranted.…”