The Problem

Hunting, recreational shooting, and fishing deposit thousands of tons of lead ammunition and tackle into the environment annually, exposing dozens of bird species and other wildlife to the toxic effects of lead poisoning. Many animals are directly exposed to lead when they mistake fragments for food or grit. Waterfowl, shorebirds, upland game birds, small mammals and songbirds often consume lead shot or fishing sinkers when they browse for small pebbles, seeds, or other food items. Raptors and other predatory animals are subject to secondary poisoning by preying on lead-laden birds and mammals, or by scavenging contaminated carcasses.

Lead absorbed into the blood stream causes severe health consequences including neurological disorders, seizures, infertility, anemia, soft tissue damage, birth defects and death. Animals that do not die directly from lead poisoning may face sub-lethal effects of lead toxicity, such as neurological and organ damage, that ultimately contribute to their inability to survive in the wild.

Humans, especially those living in poverty-stricken areas and third-world countries where lead-laden pipes and lead-based paints have not been replaced, still suffer the effects of lead poisoning. Lead sinkers or lead ammunition handled or manufactured in the home leave families susceptible to lead poisoning. Lead particles cover rugs, walls, furniture, clothing and hands. Young children, particularly those still crawling or just beginning to walk, are most at risk for picking up and ingesting toxic lead particles. Lead poisoning causes severe health consequences for people, including brain and nerve damage, sterility, birth defects, and high blood pressure, to name a few. Children suffer more dramatic effects of lead toxicity, as their smaller bodies harbor higher concentrations of lead.

Raptors, like humans, are especially susceptible to the lethal and sub-lethal effects of lead poisoning because they are at the top of the food chain. As a toxic substance flows up the food chain, each organism experiences more concentrated levels of toxicity than the organism below it. This increase in concentration moving up the food chain is referred to as bioaccumulation. Acute lead poisoning, or the lethal effects of lead poisoning, is documented in Bald and Golden Eagles, California Condors, Ospreys, Peregrine Falcons and several accipiter species.

Solutions

HawkWatch International (HWI) aims to lessen the occurrence of lead poisoning in humans, raptors, and other animals by appealing to outdoor enthusiasts for aid. We encourage the hunting and fishing community to explore non-lead alternatives for ammunition and fishing tackle. Voluntary change to non-toxic substitutes will help keep the environment free of poisons and give outdoor enthusiasts the gratifying opportunity to preserve the nature that they dearly treasure.

HWI developed the Wildlife Without Lead website as a research and outreach tool to reduce the amount of lead used in hunting and fishing. Ultimately, our goal is to protect the health of raptor populations and our shared environment. To succeed, HWI will provide information about the devastating effects of lead on non-game wildlife and the benefits of using non-lead alternatives. HWI seeks the voluntary support of the hunting and fishing community in attaining this goal.