"A 2012 press release reported that two-thirds of California Condor deaths were caused by lead poisoning. To this day, between 45 and 95 percent of the condor population tests positive for lead exposure." - American Bird Conservancy
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The Issue
59
...the number of terrestrial species of birds worldwide have experienced documented cases of lead exposure from lead ammunition, including gulls, galliforms, gruiforms, columbiforms, and raptors.
The BASICS
Lead ammunition is commonly used by hunters of small and large game.
Wildlife shot with lead shot may not always die right away from their injuries and may be lost to the hunter.
Hunter-discarded offal, the organ meat or unwanted remains of a carcass, left in the field is often contaminated with lead fragments.
Scavenging raptors, including Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, and vultures, are victims of point source pollution of spent lead ammunition in carcasses.
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Lead Ammunition 
watch The NonLead Hunter Position Statement from Wildlife Center of Virginia Position on Lead Toxicity in Raptors Video from SOAR Raptors
Watch this segment from Itasca Community TV (Minnesota) of Just Outdoors – Copper Bullets that talks about ballistics, shot placement, human and wildlife health, and three shooting demonstrations. |
RESOURCES
HuntingwithNonLead.org is a group providing research and science of nonlead ammo.
American Bird Conservancy has compiled a great overview of lead poisoning.
SOAR Raptors have compiled an overview of raptor lead poisoning Removing Lead from Wildlife and Wildlands
from Craighead Beringia South |
