About the vulture goes into captive animal habitat

[Lucas Lang]

Just curious about one thing, I see many video/picture taken in Zoos at America that there are many vultures in different animals habitat. Would they be negative to these captive species (for example, they may transmit Avian Flu I think?) and what would zoos do to prevent these animal?

 

[MC Baron]

Black vultures congregate in zoos because the presence of other animals makes them think it's a safe place to land, and of course to steal animal food. This has become a problem at some parks, and they are doing what they can to remove them. It's difficult since zoos have to work with the federal government to remove them as black vultures are a protected species.

 

[PSO]

Here in Florida its a major problem at some facilities. I don't know all the methods used but have personally seen fireworks used as a deterrent and one major facility uses a 20 gauge solution

 

[15399]

Wild animals entering exhibits can be a concern, regardless of species, not just vultures. Not only can they steal food, but can also be a disease risk. In some circumstances, predation could also occur, most commonly with zoo animals consuming a wild species (e.g. I've seen a laughing kookaburra with a frog in its mouth once), but there have been occasional news stories about zoo animals being eaten by wild visitors as well.

That being said, in some instances zoos have embraced wild species in exhibits. Providing food for wild ducks and geese that frequent exhibits is one example of this.