Buzz off: Ohio college want vultures to leave campus

GRANVILLE, Ohio � An Ohio liberal arts college is hanging effigies in trees and using pyrotechnics to move destructive vultures off campus.

The Columbus Dispatch reported vultures have caused at least $50,000 in damage at Denison University in the last year by picking at roof membranes and at caulking around vents. Vulture droppings left around air-handling units have created stinky health hazards.

Initial efforts to scare off the birds appear to be working. Vulture effigies hung by the U.S. Department of Agriculture send danger signals, USDA wildlife biologist Jeff Pelc said. Only non-lethal methods can be used because vultures are a protected migratory bird species.

Granville officials don�t want the vultures moving into town. Village administrator Mollie Ann Prasher said residents should bang pots and pans to scare off vultures when they�re spotted.