Wildlife

Wild Bald Eagle Lead Recovery Program

Bald eagle lead poisoning from ingesting deer carcasses with lead shot requires ongoing veterinary rehabilitation and illustrates ammunition welfare impacts.

Key Facts

Lead poisoning is the leading cause of bald eagle rehabilitation admission in many US states
Eagles and ravens consume gut piles and carcasses containing lead bullet fragments
Lead fragments spread 18 inches or more from the wound channel in tested carcasses
Treatment with chelation therapy enables some birds to be released but mortality remains high

Welfare Considerations

Lead-poisoned eagles experience progressive neurological deterioration before death or rehabilitation. The prolonged suffering of lead poisoning, combined with the existence of effective non-toxic alternatives, makes continued use of lead ammunition for deer hunting an ongoing welfare failure.

What You Can Do

Support mandatory copper ammunition requirements for hunting on public lands
Donate to raptor rehabilitation centers treating lead poisoning
Encourage hunters to switch to non-toxic ammunition voluntarily
Advocate for comprehensive lead ammunition phase-out legislation