HILLSBOROUGH — Residents who have taken to deliberately feeding vultures in recent weeks have drawn criticism from Town Commission members regarding the sourcing and quality of food materials provided to the birds.
“If you’re going to feed these birds, at least ensure they’re getting quality sustenance,” said Mayor Mark Bell during Tuesday’s meeting. “We need standards.”
Commissioner Robb English expanded on the concern, stating that “a society is ultimately judged by how well it treats its scavenging birds of prey.” He called for documentation of all carrion sources before feeding resumed.
The feeding began approximately two years ago when Hillsborough residents Kenneth and Linda Ostrand, avowed vulture lovers, started leaving various organic matter in designated spots throughout the neighborhood, eventually attracting over 100 disgusting flying garbage feeders to the area. Initial complaints centered on the practice itself, but city officials have since shifted focus to nutritional oversight and ethical sourcing requirements.
Craig Millar covers municipal affairs, wildlife, and the intersection of the two for Ungrammared.