The bearded vulture or lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus) is Europe's rarest raptor and one of its most spectacular birds. Reintroduced across the Alps since 1986, their welfare is severely threatened by lead poisoning from ingesting bone fragments containing hunting ammunition.
Lead poisoning causes progressive neurological damage in bearded vultures: affected birds show weakness, ataxia, and inability to fly before death from organ failure. Sub-lethal poisoning impairs hunting and foraging ability, reducing body condition over months. Young birds are particularly vulnerable as they explore novel food sources including bone fragments from hunting carcasses. Rehabilitation of lead-poisoned vultures requires chelation therapy and intensive supportive care, with variable success depending on the severity of poisoning at admission. The transition to non-lead hunting ammunition across the Alps would eliminate this welfare threat at source.