Blue Ridge Wildlife Center Patient of the Week: Bald Eagle

This handsome bald eagle was rescued by a Good Samaritan who observed the bird crash to the ground after attempting to fly out of a tree.

Thankfully, no physical injuries were found on the initial exam, but this bird did have elevated blood lead levels (as do >90% of our adult eagle patients), and we suspect they may also be suffering from other heavy metal toxicities.

Often these birds are consuming a variety of foods from roadsides or landfills, and some of these food items can be contaminated with a variety of toxins.

Neurological signs like those we are seeing in this patient could also be caused by viral disease like Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza or West Nile Virus.

We cannot test for these in house, but while we await further results, we will be treating this bird for heavy metal toxicosis and providing supportive care.

Despite the odd behavior, this eagle is in good body condition, and we hope to see improvement over the next few days. Thank you to the amazing finder who ensured that this magnificent bird made it into care to receive help!

Deer hunting season is gearing up in our area and we always see a dramatic uptick in lead cases. If you hunt, please consider switching to non-lead ammunition. Lead not only contaminates the meat people may ingest, but poorly-buried gut piles (or animals intentionally left in the field) are continuing to poison our wildlife at an alarming rate.

Greater than 90% of our eagles and vultures come to our hospital with high lead levels and this percentage is far higher in the late fall/early winter (hunting season).

This toxic metal is not only harmful to wildlife, but humans as well, especially pregnant women and children.

Given the damage lead is causing to wildlife, hunters and their families, and the recipients of venison donations, it is time to make the switch to non-lead ammunition.

Learn More:

If you are interested in learning more about the negative effect lead has on people, wildlife, and the environment, and alternatives to lead ammunition, please check out these websites:

• Lead in Venison: What Every Hunting Family Should Know
• Lead Contamination in Ground Venison from Shotgun-Harvested White-Tailed Deer in Illinois
• Alternatives to Lead Ammunition

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