Vultures in Florida Everglades getting keener on rubber car parts
ERJ staff report (BC)
Miami, Florida - Vultures are being accused of developing an increasing taste for rubber parts on the cars of visitors travelling to the Florida Everglades, reports NBC Miami.
Several videos uploaded to YouTube capture what appears to be a new addition to the vultures's food chain - sunroof seals, windscreen wipers and other rubber parts, being chewed by vultures.
The problem has been affecting unsuspecting car owners in the Everglades for years, but the nuisance behaviour has become more prevalent, according to Ron Magill of Zoo Miami, who added that the vultures are not actually eating the rubber parts at all.
"They're perfecting a skill that they need to survive,†Magill said.
He explained that the rubber has the same texture as a dead animal's skin.
“The vulture needs to get into that skin to get into the innards, to the goodies, so to speak,†said Magill.
These are external links and should open in new windows. If the window does not appear, please check your pop-up blocking software. ERJ is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Full story
YouTube video
This article is only available to subscribers - subscribe today
Subscribe for unlimited access. A subscription to European Rubber Journal includes:
- Every issue of European Rubber Journal (6 issues) including Special Reports & Maps.
- Unlimited access to ERJ articles online
- Daily email newsletter – the latest news direct to your inbox
- Access to the ERJ online archive