Vulture 'survival kits' are being given to motorists visiting the Everglades National Park in Florida, because migrating birds have acquired a somewhat unusual taste for rubber.

The scavengers, usually black vultures which migrate from the Southeast, have perfected their technique which sees cars ripped of all their rubber appliances within minutes - from windscreen wipers to sunroof seals, hood plastic and even the sealing in doorways.

Park staff have received so many complaints about the problem they have been put together kits they loan to visitors to help them keep their cars intact, according to the Miami Herald .

'Exactly why they do it or when they do it or why they choose one vehicle over another, any reasons for that are pretty much unknown,' park wildlife biologist Skip Snow told the newspaper.



The kits are made up of tarps and bungee cords so visitors can cover the bits of cars they deem most precious.

And though it may be unusual, it doesn't make the vandalism any less expensive.

Biologist Adam Gelber found out the hard way after visiting the nature reserve and leaving with very little left of his GMC Yukon.

'It took the guys from the insurance agency 10 or 15 minutes to even figure out how to code it,' he told the local paper.

Rubber was shredded from his sunroof, windows and hood within minutes.



Altogether the birds caused $1,850 of damage.



Vultures have been known to cause similar problems to homes across America with pool screens often being picked apart.

Seal of approval: Vultures in the Everglades have been stealing rubber from cars including roof seals and windscreen wipers (pictured, left). Special tarp kits are now being given out (pictured, right) to put the birds off



However, one thing that has baffled scientists is why the birds are suddenly so taken with vehicles.

The vultures do not eat the material they take and typically discard it.

It seems the act of destruction is their main motivation, which may be why the park rangers have decided to opt for a - if you can't beat them, leave them to it approach by introducing the kits.

'It’s recognition on our part that they’re part of the park and we’re the intruders in their world,' Snow added. “The vultures are doing what comes naturally.”