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Lead
toxicity has been identified as the leading
cause of death in condors in the Arizona
reintroduction program. Eight confirmed
and two suspected condor deaths have been
caused by lead poisoning, the most recent
occurring in March of 2006. Condors in Arizona
are trapped twice a year to have their blood
tested for lead. Biologists have seen 211
instances of lead exposure in condors since
testing began in 1999. A total of 49 condors
have been exposed to lead, most multiple
times, with 31 birds requiring treatment
(chelation) to reverse dangerously high
blood lead levels (data current as of March
2006). Without these treatments more condors
might have died.
Although there may be many potential sources
of lead, an ongoing scientific study funded
by the Arizona Game and Fish Department
has determined that lead from spent ammunition
is a major source of lead in exposed condors
and that lead from the local environment
does not appear to be a factor. An additional study has determined that condor lead exposure rates are highest during the fall hunting season in northern Arizona. This study also concludes that during this same time, condors spend the most time foraging on the Kaibab Plateau. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is committed to reducing the amount of lead available to condors by encouraging sportsmen to take lead reduction actions when hunting in condor range.
Condors
inadvertently ingest lead from spent ammunition
found in animal carcasses and gut piles.
Fragments from lead bullets or lead shot
have been found within the digestive tracts
of condors 16 times in Arizona. Lead
bullets can fragment into hundreds of
pieces before they exit a target such as
a deer or coyote. Since condors are group
feeders, and only one or two lead fragments
or pellets can cause lead toxicity, one
animal carcass or gut pile containing lead
fragments or lead shot has the potential
to poison several condors.
How you can help
Arizona hunters have a long tradition of
wildlife conservation. Arizona Game and
Fish Department is asking for your help
in continuing this proud tradition. The
Department recently surveyed hunters and
ranchers about their thoughts on condor
management, and specifically the concern
over lead poisoning in condors. Hunters
and ranchers responded that they wanted
to help, but requested more information
on the topic. We responded by providing
the public with condor lead exposure data
and funding scientific studies to determine
the source of this lead. We're also engaged
in an extensive public education effort.
Now we're asking for your help. If you hunt
within condor range in Arizona (Game Management
Units 12A, 12B, 9, 10, 13A, and 13B), please
use non-lead ammunition.
High performance all-copper bullets are
now available in most rifle calibers. In
comparison to lead and copper-jacketed bullets,
all-copper bullets do not fragment and are
far less toxic. Scavengers like the condor
are less likely to ingest one large mushroomed
bullet versus many small bullet fragments
scattered throughout a carcass or gut pile.
Shotgun, pistol, and muzzleloader ammunition
are also available in high performing non-lead
alternatives. There are also non-lead alternatives
for hand-loaders. Please link to non-lead
ammunition [PDF,
268kb] for a list of some manufacturers
and available calibers. Many sporting stores
and on-line retailers carry non-lead ammunition.
For a list of some non-lead ammunition retailers,
please link to non-lead ammunition
retailers [PDF,
31kb].
In fall 2005, as part of an effort to reduce
lead exposure in condors, the Arizona Game
and Fish Department offered non-lead rifle
ammunition to big game hunters in Units
12A and 12B, the area condors frequent most.
The hunters responded, and 65% participated
in this program paid for by the Heritage
Fund (state lottery revenue). Thanks to
the efforts of these and other hunters who
took lead reduction actions during their
2005 hunt in condor range, condor lead exposure
rates declined by 40% from the previous
year. This marks the first decline in condor
lead exposure rates since testing began
in 2000. According to post-hunt
survey results, 93% of successful hunters
who used the non-lead ammunition said it
performed as well as or better than lead
bullets. In addition, 72% of all hunters
said they would recommend the 100% copper
bullets to other hunters. The free non-lead
ammunition program will continue in 2006,
and we hope to see an even higher participation
rate.
If you choose to use lead ammunition while
hunting, there are still ways you can help
condors in Arizona:
- Remove all shot animals
(coyotes, small and big game) and gut
piles from the field.
- Hide carcasses and gut
piles by covering them with rocks and/or
brush.
- Remove bullets and surrounding
flesh if leaving carcasses or gut piles
in the field.
Several
sportsmen’s groups and agencies have
already joined efforts to help the condor.
A Condor
Conservation Coalition has been formed
to promote voluntary lead reduction efforts
within condor range, including the use of
non-lead ammunition. If your sportsmen’s
group is interested in joining this coalition
and continuing the proud tradition of wildlife
conservation, please contact the Arizona
Game and Fish Department. Current local
coalition members include the Arizona
Deer Association, Arizona
Antelope Foundation, Arizona
Desert Bighorn Sheep Society, and
Arizona Chapter of the National
Wild Turkey Federation.
We hope that this program will mark the
beginning of a voluntary switch to non-lead
ammunition by hunters that are hunting within
the range of the California condor. Hunter
support is a key factor in bringing condors
back for all of us to enjoy. Thank you for
your support. |
