Eagle population faces serious threat, prompting warning to American hunters.

Officials monitoring eagle population incidents in the US have disclosed a persistent threat that may lead to a decrease in their numbers.

A USGS wildlife biologist in Boise, Idaho, informed Planet Chronicle Digital via email that lead exposure among eagles and vultures is a worldwide issue.

On every continent, people hunt animals and leave bullets behind, which are then consumed by avian scavengers, birds that eat dead animals, and may have remnants of ammunition embedded in their bodies.

A recent study published on Science.org revealed that out of 448 birds from across the U.S., 50% exhibited signs of chronic lead poisoning, as found by researchers in collaboration with the USGS.

Katzner explained that in this context, "chronic" refers to repeated exposure, as 50% of the eagles were being exposed to lead over and over again.

He stated that although most of the others had some evidence of lead exposure, it was not as frequent as the 50% who showed chronic exposure.

In February 2023, officials in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, encountered a tragic event involving the death of a bald eagle due to lead poisoning.

In 2023, officials at the Raven Ridge Wildlife Center in Washington Boro, Pennsylvania, posted on Facebook that an eagle, which is supposed to be a strong and powerful symbol of America, lies lifeless after losing a fight to lead poisoning. They added a plea to sportsmen to switch to lead-free hunting practices.

Recently, Lancaster County discovered an eagle that had died due to lead poisoning.

In January, a bald eagle was relocated to Humane Indiana Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center due to lead poisoning discovered at Potato Creek State Park.

Humane Indiana Wildlife officials wrote on Facebook that our team administered stabilizing care, fluids, a critical care food alternative, and began chelation therapy. Despite lead levels as high as they were and a poor body condition, we were not surprised to find that he had passed away overnight.

For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.Planet Chronicle/lifestyle.

A grain of rice-sized lead fragment is deadly to a mature bald eagle, so a standard 150 grain lead bullet can kill 10 eagles.

Over the course of its life, an eagle accumulates deadly metal in its system, making it impossible to safely expose oneself to lead. This is why lead is often referred to as "the silent killer."

Although hunting is a vital source of food for these birds, they may also be a potential source of lead.

Bird scavengers can suffer from lead poisoning due to consuming game or fragments of game that have been shot by hunters.

The bird "will feed on what is most available."

When a lead bullet hits an animal, it can fragment into tens, hundreds, or even thousands of pieces. If the hunter recovers their target, they often leave a gut pile containing lead fragments, according to Katzner.

"If the hunter fails to retrieve their prey, the carcass of the animal will have lead fragments inside."

Birds are highly susceptible to lead poisoning because they often eat carcasses or remains.

The American Bald Eagle Foundation states that although fish make up about 70% to 90% of an eagle's diet, the bird "feeds on what is most available and requires the least amount of energy to acquire it."

Using non-lead ammunition can decrease lead poisoning rates, according to Katzner.

Lead poisoning can also result from a diet that contains lead.

Katzner stated that lead poisoning rates can also be high for other birds, such as red-shouldered hawks, which consume earthworms that concentrate lead in their bodies.