A bill introduced by U.S. Rep. August Pfluger (R-San Angelo) on Aug. 4 seeks to authorize ranchers to protect their livestock from caracara birds of prey. A bipartisan piece of legislation, Pfluger was joined by fellow Texas lawmaker U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo) who supports the bill.
"In the past two decades, destructive caracara birds of prey have taken up residence throughout Texas and into Louisiana,” Pfluger said in an Aug. 4 press release. “Lamb producers in our district have seen a significant increase in the number of lambs killed by caracaras in recent years. Since these predators are protected, it is currently illegal for producers to kill one without prior authorization from the Department of Interior. We should not be protecting tropical birds of prey that are attacking American livestock. My legislation restores the ability of livestock producers to protect their herds from Caracaras."
According to the press release, the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) and Texas Sheep & Goat Raisers Association (TSGRA) support the bill. “The TSGRA supports this legislation and its efforts to combat these invasive avian predators,” TSGRA President Rodney Kott said in the release. “Caracaras cause tremendous harm and significant loss to the sheep and goat industry in the United States.”
ASI President Brad Boner said that his organization is regularly updated on incidents in which avian predators attack lambs, per the release. “Our partners in USDA Wildlife Services shares they have increasing complaints of lamb kills by birds, often the caracaras are the predator,” Boner said. “We applaud U.S. Representative August Pfluger’s legislation to help mitigate this predator problem with authorization that sheep producers can Caracaras to prevent death of lambs.”
The caracara, a tropical black and white falcon that acts like a vulture, is currently protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), which forbids anything being done to protected migratory bird species without prior authorization secured from the Department of Interior U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, according to the press release.