Actions you and your friends can take can protect our raptors
Millions of birds are affected annually by lead poisoning. In 1977, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission banned lead paint in residential and public buildings as well as in toys and furniture, and in 1996 it was banned from use in gasoline. In 1991, lead was banned for waterfowl hunting; however, lead is still a leading metal used in the ammunition for upland hunting shooting sports and in fishing tackle. When ingested, lead has detrimental effects on the nervous and reproductive systems of mammals and birds. Eagles, Hawks and Owls with lead poisoning may exhibit loss of balance, gasping, tremors and impaired ability to fly. Emaciation follows and death can occur within 2 to 3 weeks after lead ingestion. Please consider hunting and fishing lead free.
We recently rescued an adult male Bald Eagle that had ingested one lead pellet (0.1 inch in diameter) which was enough to kill him very quickly
American Eagle Foundation - Article regarding lead and a pledge to Hunt & Fish Lead Free
National Wildlife Health Center – Concerns over the known and potential impacts of lead on wildlife.
Fact Sheet: Bald Eagles and Lead Poisoning – Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
American Bird Conservancy – Article about toxins such as lead.
Rodenticides:
Modern rodenticides are designed to be quick acting, and thus extremely toxic. It only takes one poisoned rodent to kill a raptor. Please consider using traditional mouse traps.
American Bird Conservancy - Leading the Way in Cancelling Pesticides Most Harmful to Birds.
Litter:
A significant percentage of the raptors we rescue have been hit or tossed about by passing motor vehicles. The injuries are often untreatable, resulting in the raptors death. Disposing of food improperly attracts prey such as squirrels, chipmunks, mice, and rats which in turn attracts predators, Eagles, Hawks, Owls. When food is disposed of along roadways, the rodent is on the roadway, which places the Raptor near the roadway at serious risk of injury. Please don't litter.