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| A lead-poisoned bald eagle is treated at The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota (Associated Press photo) |
Nearly half of the bald and golden eagles tested in the United States show signs of chronic lead poisoning, according to a study published this week in Science.
"Lead is a neurotoxin that even in low doses impairs an eagle’s balance and stamina, reducing its ability to fly, hunt and reproduce. In high doses, lead causes seizures, breathing difficulty and death," Christina Larson reports for The Associated Press. "Harmful levels of toxic lead were found in the bones of 46% of bald eagles sampled in 38 states from California to Florida. 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."
Modeling suggests that such high lead-poisoning levels have reduced annual population growth of of golden eagles by 4% and golden eagles by 1%, Larson reports.
from The Rural Blog https://ift.tt/Pv1CFZi Study suggests nearly half of bald eagles in the U.S. have chronic lead poisoning; population growth stunted - Entrepreneur Generations
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