Turkey vulture brought to Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center after being shot

ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — A turkey vulture was taken to the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center in Roanoke after the bird was shot.

Officials with the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center say that it is illegal to shoot a non-game bird, which is protected under federal law.

In a social media post, the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center says that these birds are important because they eat dead animals which help to clean up the environment.

This turkey vulture’s prognosis is “poor to guarded,” according to the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center.

If you have any information about who may have shot this bird or if you see or hear someone illegally shooting wildlife, you can call the wildlife crime hotline in Virginia at 1-800-237-5712.