Southern Illinois cattle producers say that they are currently facing a threat of black vultures in the area. Apparently the birds are preying on young calves on a growing number of cattle farms. Gary Tretter II said that he has a 60-cow herd near Murphysboro and has lost 4 calves already this year due to vulture attacks. Several of his Jackson County neighbors have also experienced calf killings, with vultures being the suspects. Newborn calves are at the most risk, but they still target calves as old as two weeks. University of Illinois Extension beef educator Teresa Steckler says that she does not remember vultures being active during past calving season. Southern Illinois is at the northern point of the black vulture’s range in North America.