Special Programs

BIRD OF PREY LEAD TESTING PARTICIPATION

Thanks to grant funding from Crown Point Community Foundation, in 2020 we began lead testing birds of prey admitted to our Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Each bird of prey adult is stabilized and a blood sample is taken. The blood sample is then sent for testing to determine whether or not that animal has been exposed to lead.

TESTING AND TREATING LEAD POISONING IN BIRDS OF PREY

Lead toxicity is one of the leading causes of decline in raptor populations across the country. Millions of birds suffer and die from lead poisoning each year. The most significant hazard of lead for birds of prey comes through direct ingestion of:

• spent lead shot and bullets
• lost lead fishing sinkers
• lead tackle

Lead is also directly consumed by predatory animals when prey is wounded or killed by:

• lead shot
• bullets
• bullet fragments

Northwest Indiana’s contaminated environment due to strong manufacturing and industry are shown to increase lead toxicity in birds.

EFFECTS OF LEAD POISONING IN BIRDS OF PREY

In birds of prey, lead poisoning can result in severe neurological and physical effects which may lead to death if not provided medical treatment. Animals suffering from lead poisoning may present with:

• weight loss and emaciation
• weakness and lethargy
• blindness
• seizures
• higher egg mortality.

Because birds of prey in Northwest Indiana can be impacted by lead through hunting practices as well as environmental contamination, we began testing birds of prey in an effort to provide better treatment to birds coming into the rehabilitation center for care.

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Saving Birds

When treated, early lead detection saves birds while teaching us about our environment.