Andean condors face ongoing lead poisoning from ingested ammunition fragments across their expanding South American range.
Lead poisoning in Andean condors produces the same neurological deterioration seen in California condors - weakness, inability to fly, seizures, and death. As range expansion brings condors into more heavily hunted areas, lead exposure risk increases. Community-based non-lead hunting campaigns are the most practical intervention and have support in hunting communities when presented with clear scientific evidence.