The National Park Service found 33 dead black vultures dumped along Foothills Parkway West in Great Smoky Mountains National Park on April 6. Rangers concluded the birds were intentionally dumped and are investigating. Black vultures are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, which restricts killing or transporting protected migratory birds without a permit. Authorities ask anyone with dashcam footage or photos from the Chilhowee–Walland area to submit tips (anonymously if desired) via nps.gov.
33 Black Vultures Found Dumped Along Foothills Parkway in Great Smoky Mountains — NPS Seeks Tips
Stock image of black vulturesCredit: Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty
The National Park Service is investigating after rangers discovered 33 dead black vultures dumped along Foothills Parkway West inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
What Happened
Park rangers reported finding a "large number of dead birds" along the roadside at about noon local time on April 6. After an on-site assessment, officials concluded the birds had been intentionally dumped rather than having died in place.
Location
The carcasses were found along Foothills Parkway West, between Chilhowee and Walland, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which spans the border between Tennessee and North Carolina.
Foothills Parkway signCredit: Ron Buskirk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty
Legal Context
Black vultures are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. That federal law prohibits the "take" of protected migratory birds — including killing, capturing, selling, trading, or transporting them — without a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In addition, dumping any material inside a national park is illegal.
How the Public Can Help
Park officials are asking anyone who was in the Foothills Parkway area between Chilhowee and Walland on April 6 to check dashcam footage, smartphone photos, or other records that might identify who dumped the birds. Tips may be submitted anonymously through a form on nps.gov. The National Park Service is encouraging anyone with relevant information to come forward to aid the ongoing investigation.
Reporting and Follow-Up
People magazine reported on the discovery and said it had reached out to the National Park Service for an update. The park service continues its investigation and will review any credible leads submitted by the public.
If you have footage or photos from the area on April 6, please contact the National Park Service or submit an anonymous tip via nps.gov.
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