ROCKY MOUNT, Va. — A quiet wooded stretch near Dent Street and Franklin Street became the focus of an unusual and unsettling investigation Tuesday after residents discovered multiple dead vultures scattered along a shallow creek bed.
Town officials confirmed that Rocky Mount Police and Fire, Franklin County Public Safety, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR), and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) responded to the scene shortly after the discovery. Caution tape was placed around the affected lot as officials moved to secure the area and prevent public access.
According to town officials, a DWR biologist was dispatched to assess the deceased birds and determine the cause of death. The vultures were found clustered in and around the creek — a detail that immediately raised concern among wildlife experts, as mass bird deaths can sometimes point to environmental contamination, disease, or poisoning.
Officials emphasized that the creek does not supply water to Rocky Mount’s municipal water system, and there is no indication the town’s drinking water has been impacted. Still, residents are being urged to avoid waterways in and around the area until testing is complete.
Could Avian Influenza Be a Factor?
While no cause has been confirmed, the discovery has renewed attention on avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu — a virus that has affected wild bird populations nationwide in recent years.
Virginia has previously documented avian influenza cases in wild birds, including raptors and scavenger species such as vultures. In past incidents across the state, turkey vultures exposed to infected carcasses were among the birds monitored due to their role in feeding on dead animals, which may increase exposure risk.
Wildlife officials caution, however, that bird flu is only one of several possible explanations. Other causes can include secondary poisoning, toxic algae exposure, environmental pollutants, or localized disease outbreaks unrelated to avian influenza.
Why Vultures Matter
Turkey vultures play a critical role in Virginia’s ecosystem by removing carrion that could otherwise spread bacteria and disease. When vultures die suddenly and in groups, it often signals a problem that extends beyond the birds themselves.
“Scavenger species are like environmental barometers,” one wildlife expert previously told state officials during a past investigation. “When they’re affected, it usually means something in the food chain went wrong.”
What the Public Should Know
Health officials stress that the risk to the general public remains low, but caution is still warranted. Residents should:
- Avoid contact with dead birds
- Keep pets away from the area
- Refrain from entering nearby creeks or waterways
- Report additional dead wildlife to authorities
VDH has noted in previous cases that avian influenza rarely spreads to humans, and when it does, it typically involves prolonged, close contact with infected birds.
Investigation Ongoing
As of Tuesday evening, testing and examination of the birds were still underway. Officials say more information will be released once lab results and environmental assessments are complete.
Until then, the creek that normally blends into the background of Rocky Mount life remains roped off — a reminder that sometimes, the first warning sign of a larger issue arrives on black wings and red heads, lying silent where they shouldn’t be.