Welfare of Wild Birds Affected by Lead Ammunition

Lead from hunting ammunition causes widespread poisoning in eagles, condors, and other raptors and scavenging birds that consume contaminated carcasses.

Key Facts

California condors were nearly extinct from lead poisoning before mandatory non-lead ammunition laws
Golden and bald eagles die from lead poisoning after consuming hunter-shot deer and elk
Lead fragments from rifle bullets scatter through carcasses and gut piles left by hunters
Non-lead copper bullets are effective at comparable cost to traditional lead ammunition
Denmark, Germany, and California have implemented or are implementing lead ammunition bans

Welfare Considerations

Birds poisoned by lead suffer neurological deterioration including inability to fly, weakness, and seizures over days to weeks before death. Lead interferes with enzyme function causing progressive damage to the nervous system. Condors poisoned by lead experience such severe symptoms they require intensive veterinary care including chelation therapy. The pain and neurological suffering of lead poisoning represents a significant welfare burden on raptors and scavenging birds. Non-lead ammunition eliminates this welfare harm entirely.

What You Can Do

Choose non-lead ammunition when hunting to protect raptors and scavengers
Support mandatory non-lead ammunition legislation in your state
Donate to California Condor recovery programs addressing lead poisoning
Educate other hunters about the raptor welfare impacts of lead ammunition