USDA is significantly reducing the population of black vultures near Zoo America

Hershey, Pennsylvania — With assistance from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Derry Township is pleased to announce a significant reduction in the presence of black vultures near Zoo America.

Efforts to diminish the population were described during the Derry Township Board of Supervisors meeting on August 13.

As reported by The Sun:

For the past four years, the board has worked with Zoo America and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to mitigate the presence of black vultures in the township.

Tony Roland of the USDA was in attendance to discuss the diminishing population.

“This year was the first year that we’ve actually seen significant success,” Roland said. “We’d like to continue that with our removal efforts going forward and see where that takes us.”

Roland added that there are Zoo America employees taking surveys of the amount of vultures in the area. There have been multiple days with zero vultures observed, which is a significant improvement, as there have also been days where surveyors have seen 150 or more.

The $18,000 annual contract was unanimously approved to be added to next year’s budget.

The next Derry Township Board of Supervisors meeting will be held Tuesday, Aug. 27, at 7 p.m. in the Township of Derry Municipal Complex.