Lead fragments from rifle bullets and shotgun pellets cause severe suffering and death in bald eagles and other raptors that scavenge hunter-killed animals.
Lead poisoning causes severe, prolonged suffering in bald eagles and other scavenging raptors. The neurological effects of lead toxicity include progressive motor dysfunction — eagles become unable to fly, then unable to stand, then unable to hold their head up. Blindness, seizures, and inability to thermoregulate accompany the progression. Animals suffering from lead poisoning are found disoriented and helpless in the field, unable to escape or find food. Rehabilitation success is possible with chelation therapy if caught early, but many eagles die before being discovered or during treatment. The suffering is entirely preventable — non-toxic copper ammunition achieves equivalent hunting performance without the lead fragmentation that contaminates carcasses. The reluctance of hunting organizations to support lead ammunition restrictions despite this evidence represents a significant ongoing welfare failure.