In danger. The California condor is threatened by lead poisoning from bullets in scavenged carcasses.
Credit: Joe Burnett
Posted on 06/25/2012 5:28:56 PM PDT by neverdem
Spreading its wings to a 3-meter span, flying at a speed of up to 96 kph, and living as long as 60 years, the California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is one of the world’s most magnificent birds. It’s also one of the rarest. Only 22 condors were alive in 1982, due to poaching, habitat destruction, DDT poisoning, and shooting by cattle ranchers who mistakenly believed that the carrion-eating birds were killing young calves. An intensive captive breeding program has increased the condors’ numbers to almost 400, about half of which are free flying. But the birds still suffer from lead poisoning caused by scavenging the carcasses of animals shot with lead-based ammunition. Unless this source of lead is eliminated, the birds will never survive without human help, a new study finds.
Unlike many other carrion eaters, condors feed predominantly on the remains of large animals, which are more likely to have been shot than roadkill or small animals partially eaten by larger ones. Even small amounts of lead can affect the nervous system and kidneys of birds, mammals, and humans. In condors, high levels of lead can shut down the digestive system, causing the birds to starve.
Ironically, the success of captive breeding and releasing programs may be masking the continuing danger of lead, says research toxicologist Myra Finkelstein of the University of California, Santa Cruz. Condors’ numbers have increased because captive birds have been released into the wild; only a few chicks have been “born free.” And even after release, the birds receive massive assistance from biologists, she explains. For example, condors are caught twice a year and tested for lead; those with excessive lead levels are taken to one of several zoos, treated, and released again. “This revolving door effect keeps us from seeing whether condors can survive without human help,” she says.
To get a better handle on the impact of lead poisoning, Finkelstein and colleagues checked over 1000 blood samples taken from 150 condors between 1997 and 2010. About 70% of birds had telltale signs of lead exposure, while nearly half of free-flying condors met the standard for lead poisoning, the researchers report online today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
By checking the lead levels in the birds’ feathers, which grow over a period of several months, the researchers also got an idea of how long the condors had been exposed. Analysis of 18 feathers showed the birds had lead exposure for 75% of the feather-growing period and lead poisoning for 30% of that time.
Finkelstein and colleagues verified that bullets were indeed the source of the lead. By analyzing “isotope ratios,” a sort of mineral fingerprint made of different forms of lead, the team found that the majority of free-flying condors had ratios that matched those found in ammunition. The same technique is used to identify sources of lead poisoning in humans, Finkelstein says.
To see whether the birds could cope with lead poisoning unassisted, the researchers constructed a population model that factored in various scenarios of lead exposure. “If current management efforts go on basically forever, the condor population will remain stable,” says Finkelstein. If lead ammunition is eliminated, she says, the birds can also survive without human help. On the other hand, with no human intervention and with lead exposure as it is now, the birds will go extinct, the model predicts.
“The science is solid and the conclusions inescapable—the condor will never be a free-living species as long as exposure to lead from ammunition continues,” says raptor biologist Patrick Redig of the University of Minnesota, St. Paul, who has served on condor recovery programs but was not involved in the new study.
In 2008, California banned the use of leaded bullets in the eight counties in which condors are found. But although lead levels have since declined in other birds with smaller territories and more varied diets, such as golden eagles and turkey vultures, the condors have not yet benefited from the limited ban. Condors can fly 240 kilometers in a day (far beyond the counties in which lead is banned). Throughout their long lives they eat 75 to 100 carcasses per year, and even a single exposure to lead is potentially fatal.
Efforts to ban lead-based ammunition throughout the United States have met with stiff resistance from gun users, according to toxicologist Michael Fry, who is now with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Honolulu but previously worked on condor issues with the American Bird Conservancy in Washington, D.C. In April, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that prevents the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating toxic components of ammunition. “Lead-free versions are available for just about every type of ammunition, and many gun users like them better,” says Fry. The bullets are more expensive, he admits. However, condor-protection programs cost an estimated $5 million per year, most of it paid for by state and federal taxes, according to the study authors. Fry notes that although lead alternatives cost just two or three cents more, a box of lead-free bullets is currently 50% higher, probably more expensive because they’re not yet in widespread use.
Finkelstein is hopeful that communication may succeed where legislation fails. Some condor-protection groups are conducting outreach programs that invite hunters to use nontoxic bullets, and Finkelstein says the hunters’ responses are encouraging.
*This item was updated to add that Michael Fry previously worked at the American Bird Conservancy in Washington, D.C, and to provide further explanation about the price of lead-free bullets.
Where have we heard something like that before?
I saw a show about this recently. They were rehabbing Condors who were hooked on lead. Treating them with some chemicals to get rid of the lead?
Common sense tells me that their numbers are BS. How many hunters are out there killing big game and not harvesting the game? The birds search the carcasses for the bullets and always find and east it? What about all the other scavengers? They never get the lead FIRST? “Heh, you Buzzard,leave that lead for the Condors”. Oh, I forgot..... Condors ARE Buzzards.
Yep, I finally arrived at peanut butter too. Even a dog that is too sick to eat will clean a dab of peanut butter off the roof of his mouth.
I call BS
I’d like to see their raw data.
The difference in years gone-by was the much greater use of shotguns for hunting game birds that were quite plentiful in the San Joaquin Valley. Many a bird didn't die from shotgun injuries, so did not get collected by hunters - condors found and ate them in great numbers, yet didn't decline in numbers until mankind occupied greater and greater amounts of landscape, turning condor hunting grounds into urban areas squeezing out near all wildlife.
There's another problem with the lead-poisoning theory - that other buzzards don't seem to suffer from the same lead poisoning elsewhere - in NM, AZ, TX, buzzard populations seem quite healthy - and plentiful. I travel to these states frequently and several times seen CA condors in AZ and NM, apparently doing quite well! There's no mistaking them - they're much larger than the average buzzard. Look for them in the mountains and valleys within mountains. And, to really push the envelope, I would bet there are more people per capita using guns on a regular basis in these states.
Last there is the fact that CA condors will come very close to the the ground and 'hover' over perceived carrion - when humans with guns are present. So close in fact, many hunters will shoot at them - thinking they are dangerous when they certainly aren't - or just 'for practice.' I witnessed such human behavior far more than once 25-30 years ago as an avid hunter, where condors were frequently seen.
I'd like to see the results of autopsies with special attention to gizzards. Metallic lead is fairly unreactive.
We are to believe hunters shoot animals and then leave them where they fall? So there is a sport where people shoot to kill for the thrill? Sounds more like the inner city.
We are to believe hunters shoot animals and then leave them where they fall? So there is a sport where people shoot to kill for the thrill? Sounds more like the inner city.
:clap: :clap:...Best. Post. Today.....Bravo!
Scavenged Bullets Dooming CondorsBull. They don't bother me.
regards,
Condor51
:-)
Seriously, our government is broke but it funds this kind of crap?
Article’s first idiotic assumption: hunters just go around shooting randomly like the old time buffalo hunters and leave the carcasses behind. Second idiotic assumption: only a few hundred condors scavenge while buzzards, raccoons, possums, ants, coyotes just stand around and watch.
In danger. The California condor is threatened by lead poisoning from bullets in scavenged carcasses.
Today, Carney continues, The Regime has decided that we must introduce a massive Condor re-education and immigration reform plan.
Employing, the unconventional, specially trained class warriors that are highly motivated by 'free Obama stuff' campaign cocaine and homey heroin. These wonderful young American's are ex-Acorn Special Forces troops. They have descended upon the lonely mountain top retreats of these degenerate and greedy young condor capitalists.
'Back in the dark days of Bush ( the President, not the Band, Carney explains ) these nests were inhabited by some bitter clinging birds'.
Can't you imagine a better future full of hope and change for these dirty birds?
A computer created image appears on an overhead screen, this is a composite image that shows, this brave 'bandanna of brothers' dressed up in their Trayvon TM replica black hoodies, which you may purchase from our campaign website.
Here they are again performing in composite as a carefully choreographed urban dance company and flash mob army. These are the Regime's black hooded inner city shock troops. The computer allows them to emerge face first from a smoke screen rappelling en mass down the sheer face of a cliff to appear together looking down upon a huge Condor nest. The nest is newly occupied by loud, greedy and hungry young Jews and Crusaders. These capitalist condor activists must change and adopt a more Earth friendly stance.
In reply, the hip-hop invaders start up their highly hypnotic dance routine and protest chant. Of course, it's accompanied by a large sacred Indian protest drum somebody stole from Madison.
'Look up here you dirty Bird, we got some food stamps so be smart, don't eat no road kill, it's bad for your heart'
Humbled wings reach out to embrace eager human hands, look at these dumb motherfu--kers, no wonder their on the endangered species list! I'm gonna make me a whole mess of hot wings. Just look at these dumb crackers. Too damn dumb to survive!
The scene then closes with an image of a defaced granite cliff face, it's been freshly tagged with fluorescent orange spray paint that announces another cultural conquest 'all are dirty birds belong to us'
see my post # 55, we must both be thinking alike. I know what’s in my brain, so you had better watch out. Certain talk can get you placed on the Regime’s ‘shoot on site’ list, but they’ll have to put depleted uranium warheads on those Hellfire missiles, or those lazy condors will all die from too much hope and change. Got it Buddy?
Species have been going extinct since the beginning of time. When the condors are gone, the buzzards will fill their niche.
LOL!
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