NEW VIDEO: Bald Eagle rescued and rehabilitated after ingesting lead, released back into the wild
Gregory Deffenbaugh
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ — A bald eagle recently spotlighted in a Problem Solvers report on the dangers of lead poisoning in wildlife has made a return to the wild after weeks of rehabilitation.
The majestic bird was rescued earlier this year after suffering from severe lead poisoning, likely from ingesting fragments of lead bullets in animal remains left behind by hunters. The toxin can be deadly to birds of prey, causing neurological damage, weakness, and even death if untreated.
After he was examined, veterinarians determined he had lead poisoning. However, it was not because the eagle was shot. It likely ate something that still had bullet fragments left in it. This incident has think wild spreading the word, don’t shoot animals with lead bullets.
“We often treat raptors that have some level of lead in their system, sometimes high enough that it does end up being fatal for them,” said Molly Honea, Communications Director for the non-profit.
She added, “We encourage people who are hunting for subsistence or shooting at marmots and ground squirrels to choose lead free alternatives. They’re effective and they’re out there and they aren’t going to cause, lead to get into our wildlife”.
Think Wild knows hunters have a great interest in wildlife conservation, and they hope stories like this will encourage them to make the switch.