California condors dying of lead poisoning

October 13, 2007

Scientists say California condors are ingesting deadly levels of lead by feasting on the carcasses of animals killed by hunters.

Biologists say they've seen a condor drop out of the sky dead from lead poisoning and have recorded blood lead concentrations 40 times the level considered toxic in humans, The Los Angeles Times reported Friday. The biologists say secondhand lead from bullets is the most persistent threat to the re-establishment of California condors in the wild.

A bill passed this summer by the California Legislature would ban lead ammunition in condor habitats, although it is unclear if Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will sign it, the newspaper said.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International

• bigwheel - Oct 14, 2007
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  It's funny how the lead is traveling around in a dead animal. I thought when you died bloodflow stopped, how silly of me. Show
  me the pellets and bullets that you are pulling out of these dead
  condors or cut the crap, we're not idiots
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