1 research outputs found
Sublethal Lead Exposure Alters Movement Behavior in Free-Ranging Golden Eagles
Lead
poisoning of animals due to ingestion of fragments from lead-based
ammunition in carcasses and offal of shot wildlife is acknowledged
globally and raises great concerns about potential behavioral effects
leading to increased mortality risks. Lead levels in blood were correlated
with progress of the moose hunting season. Based on analyses of tracking
data, we found that even sublethal lead concentrations in blood (25
ppb, wet weight), can likely negatively affect movement behavior (flight
height and movement rate) of free-ranging scavenging Golden Eagles
(<i>Aquila chrysaetos</i>). Lead levels in liver of recovered
post-mortem analyzed eagles suggested that sublethal exposure increases
the risk of mortality in eagles. Such adverse effects on animals are
probably common worldwide and across species, where game hunting with
lead-based ammunition is widespread. Our study highlights lead exposure
as a considerably more serious threat to wildlife conservation than
previously realized and suggests implementation of bans of lead ammunition
for hunting