Eagle dies of lead poisoning, why you could be at risk

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ROANOKE (WSLS 10) – The potential for lead poisoning could become greater this time of year. As hunting season approaches, many game animals that are typically eaten are killed with lead ammunition, which also poses a risk to your health.

Virginia is seeing an increase in the amount of wildlife that have lead poisoning.

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Most recently, a male bald eagle was found in Newport, Giles County and died after high levels of lead were found in its system.

Grounded for several days, the eagle was unable to fly or stand.

Sabrina Garvin with the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center said it was anemic from starvation after being too weak to hunt. Garvin said the eagle was sent to the Wildlife Center of Virginia for surgery, but it didn't make it. The lead poisoning was too far developed in its system.

"Unfortunately the lead levels in her system were too high to be able to deal with," Garvin said.

This is the second case of lead poisoning the center has seen in the past year.

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Garvin said lead poisoning is one of the most common causes of sickness in scavenger birds like bald eagles, hawks and owls.

In fact the Wildlife Center of Virginia reports that of the 30 to 40 bald eagles they find each year, 80 percent were diagnosed with lead poisoning.

"It goes back years from where lead was used, especially in water fowl," Garvin said.

The main source of lead comes from commonly used ammunition during hunting season and in fishing hooks and weights.

"The lead has gone down and fallen into the bottom of the rivers and ponds, and it's leaching into the soil and into the food chain," Garvin said.

Garvin said often lead can be eaten by fish, which is later eaten by birds or people.

"We want hunters to realize that using bullets without lead will be healthy for them and the environment," Garvin said.

Despite the warning labels on the shell boxes, it's often an afterthought.

Some lead based bullets have the potential to lodge lead up to 18 inches into game animals. When that lead is left undetected, that could cause that infected meat to be eaten by other animals or people.

"So they may take home what they want. They are taking that home to their family and they are leaving it for the wildlife to scavenge," Garvin said.

Garvin said she does not want to discourage hunters and fisherman from enjoying game hunting or fishing, but she does want them to consider the impact lead based bullets and fishing gear could have on the environment.

For more information about the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center and what they recommend, visit their website.


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