Turkey vultures move into Wis. cemetery

MAYVILLE, Wis., Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Police in the town of Mayville, Wis., are taking on turkey vultures who appear to be trying to take over a local cemetery.

Capt. Tom Poellot said officers would fire bird bangers and screamer sirens twice a day to scare away the approximately 60 vultures that have taken roost in Graceland Cemetery.

He said the feathers and bird droppings are creating an unsightly mess.

"These turkey vultures are federally protected and this is a humane way of solving the problem without inflicting injury to the birds," he said.

Poellot said it could take a week to scare the birds away.

The USDA said turkey vultures weigh about 5 pounds and have wingspans up to 6 feet.