Vulture gets ‘lodged’ in grille of car after South Carolina driver hits it, photo shows
A woman was driving through South Carolina when she pulled over to find a feathery surprise.
The driver discovered she hit a vulture, and the bird was “still lodged” in the front of her car, officials said. A photo shows the bird’s wings spread out as its head is stuck in the grille of a Toyota.
The woman had trouble finding someone to help her free the vulture and asked for a hand when she got across the Georgia state line, the Tybee Island Police Department said in a Facebook post.
Officers in the coastal tourist destination came to the bird’s rescue and were surprised to find it had survived the journey.
“While taking a look, our officers realized that the poor bird was still alive,” the Savannah-area police department wrote on Jan. 29. “After freeing it from the vehicle, our team brought the vulture into the police department to warm up and are currently seeking veterinary treatment.”
As of Jan. 31, the department’s Facebook post garnered hundreds of reactions and multiple comments from people wishing the bird well.
“Poor thing,” one person wrote. “I sure hope he makes it. Thanks for giving him a chance!”
Another Facebook user commented: “Thank you for your kindness, hope it makes a complete recovery.”
North America is home to black vultures and turkey vultures — sometimes called buzzards. Both of the species have been spotted in South Carolina, McClatchy News reported.
Vultures are scavengers that typically feast on animals that have already died, according to the S.C. Department of Natural Resources website.
This story was originally published January 31, 2022 at 9:36 AM with the headline "Vulture gets ‘lodged’ in grille of car after South Carolina driver hits it, photo shows."
