Nearly half of US bald eagles suffer lead poisoning

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By CHRISTINA LARSON

WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s national bird is more beleaguered than previously believed, with nearly half of bald eagles tested across the U.S. showing signs of chronic lead exposure, according to a study published Thursday.

While the bald eagle population has rebounded from the brink of extinction since the U.S. banned the pesticide DDT in 1972, harmful levels of toxic lead were found in the bones of 46% of bald eagles sampled in 38 states from California to Florida, researchers reported in the journal Science.

Similar rates of lead exposure were found in golden eagles, which scientists say means the raptors likely consumed carrion or prey contaminated by lead from ammunition or fishing tackle.

The blood, bones, feathers and liver tissue of 1,210 eagles sampled from 2010 to 2018 were examined to assess chronic and acute lead exposure.



In this photo provided by Estelle Shuttleworth in February 2022, bald eagles compete for a deer carcass in Montana. While the bald eagle population has rebounded from the brink of extinction since the U.S. banned the pesticide DDT was banned in the U.S. in 1972, harmful levels of toxic lead were found in the bones of 46% of bald eagles sampled in 38 states, from California to Florida, researchers reported in the journal Science on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. (Estelle Shuttleworth via AP)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/science-health-animals-birds-bald-eagles-8aa5cb2aa77fe3d045cd72a724376e3c

[SunSeeker]

1. Lead ammo needs to be banned. nt

[NickB79]

3. At the very least calibers used for larger game like pigs and deer

All-copper bullets in centerfire rifle calibers are actually pretty damn effective, and the cost has gotten to the point it's not much more than lead anymore.

The only caliber that lead-free doesn't work in well is .22LR. But those are used for small game and targets, so no gut piles left for eagles to scavenge anyway.

[multigraincracker]

4. Most comes from shotgun shot.

They have already made steel shot mandatory for waterfowl. Should be for all shot.

[NickB79]

5. I think you're thinking about lead poisoning in waterfowl

Bald eagles are getting most of the lead in their diets from scavenging gut piles riddled with bullet fragments. Upland bird and small game hunting with lead shot doesn't contribute much for large birds like eagles (though it would still be a good thing to get rid of anyway).

[multigraincracker]

6. The steel shot rule was to counter lead poisoning

in waterfowl that dive down and eat off the bottom. That is were most of the shot ends up. Like wise eagle eat small animals that may have some shot in them. As I under stand it.

[hunter]

11. California banned lead ammo for hunting in 2019, largely to protect the California Condor.

https://wildlife.ca.gov/Hunting/Nonlead-Ammunition

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_condor

I'm in favor of a total ban of lead ammunition but that would have angered the second amendment types at the expense of the condors, vultures, eagles, etc..

Responsible hunters care about the natural environment and accept regulations that protect it.

Exposure to lead, mercury, pesticides, and other toxic chemicals known to cause brain damage may play a part in the "dumbing down" of the U.S.A..

[barbtries]

2. humans

turn out to be terrible stewards of the planet they were gifted.

[Bayard]

7. This kind of defeats the purpose

"The blood, bones, feathers and liver tissue of 1,210 eagles sampled from 2010 to 2018." I'm wondering how much the research lowered populations. "The study estimated that lead exposure reduced the annual population growth of bald eagles by 4% and golden eagles by 1%."

Regardless, seems even rethuglican hunters would be willing to lose the lead for the country's national symbol, right? Because they're so patriotic.

[IbogaProject]

8. regulating ammunition might be a way to limit the 2nd amendment

I've always been concerned with lead ammo, ever since Boy Scouts. I had learned how toxic lead was in school. Maybe since bullets didn't exist in the late 18th century it can be argued that bullets weren't contemplated.

[Duppers]

9. Absolutely!

[truthisfreedom]

10. We all are.

We’ve been lead and mercury poisoned for 100 years.

[melm00se]

12. I shifted to steel shot

for sporting clays but still have a couple of cases of lead for places that don't allow steel shot.