Black Vulture Relief Act of 2025
The Black Vulture Relief Act of 2025 would authorize livestock producers and their employees to take black vultures (Coragyps atratus) when those birds are causing or are reasonably believed to cause death, injury, or destruction to livestock. The authorization explicitly overrides the Migratory Bird Treaty Act for such actions, but prohibits the use of poison. The bill also requires annual reporting to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) about any take conducted in the prior year, and it tasks the USFWS Director with creating a reporting form within a set timeframe. The reporting form must be reasonably straightforward, not more burdensome than forms used for permitted take under the MBTA. In short, the bill creates a narrow, federally sanctioned exception to how black vultures may be managed on livestock operations, paired with a new reporting requirement to track and oversee such actions.
Key Points
- 1Authorization to take black vultures: Covered persons (livestock producers or their employees actively engaged in livestock production) may take or attempt to take black vultures that are causing, or are believed to cause, death, injury, or destruction to livestock, or to transport a black vulture carcass during such an action.
- 2Notwithstanding the MBTA, with limits: This authority operates notwithstanding the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, enabling take actions that would otherwise be restricted, but only for the purpose of protecting livestock.
- 3Prohibition on poison: Taking or attempting to take a black vulture may not be done through the use of poison.
- 4Reporting requirement: If a covered person takes a black vulture in the prior 12 months, they must file a report with the appropriate USFWS Regional Office by January 31 of the following year.
- 5Director’s reporting form: The USFWS Director must develop and make available a reporting form within 180 days of enactment. The form must be designed to be practical and not more onerous than MBTA-permitted take reporting forms as of enactment.
- 6Definitions: The bill provides specific definitions for key terms (black vulture, covered person, Director, livestock, livestock producer, take) to clarify who is covered and what actions are allowed.
- 7Scope of “take”: The term includes capturing, killing, dispersing, or transporting a black vulture carcass in the context of the action described.
- 8Timeline and implementation: The Director must publish the reporting form within 180 days; annual reporting is due each January 31 for the prior 12 months.