Orange County spends $225K to fight vultures

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - They circle the Orange County courthouse every Spring and Fall, like a bad omen… turkey vultures.

“It's a very ominous look that it gives to the courthouse,” said attorney Justin Budde.

“I don't think buzzards are a good look for any courthouse,” agreed Chantay Perry.

Turkey vultures by the dozens rip-out the caulking on the roof and litter the place with their droppings and the animals they kill. Now there’s a shocking solution: county workers are installing electrified metal strips around the top of the building. They pulse with a small charge that gives the birds a jolt if they touch it. It's a tactic they've used before.

The previous anti-buzzard wiring lasted about five years before it conked-out. They installed new wiring that should last 10 to 15 years. They considered different methods in the past, from metal spikes to covering the roof with a net. They say electricity works best. People working at the courthouse have no objections.

“As long as it doesn't kill them I'm all for it, I guess!” Budde said.

The $225,000 dollar price tag for the system and installation came from the county's traffic ticket fund. The system is set to be fully installed by the end of next month.