Assessment of lead exposure in Spanish imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti) from spent ammunition in central Spain

Fernández, Julia Rodríguez-Ramos; Höfle, Úrsula; Mateo, Rafael; Francisco, Olga Nicolas de; Abbott, Rachel C.; Acevedo, Pelayo; Blanco, Juan Manuel

doi:10.1007/s10646-011-0607-3

Cited by 25 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…The concentrations of lead in the bones of raptors are usually not directly related to current episodes of exposure (Ethier et al 2007, Gangoso et al 2009, but can increase rapidly after lead ingestion (Sanderson and Bellrose 1986). Concentrations >10 μg g −1 in bone tissue are considered to be elevated and concentrations >20 μg g −1 are often observed after lethal poisoning (Mateo et al 2003, Rodriguez-Ramos Fernandez et al 2011. Interestingly, the lead concentrations in the bones of golden eagles found in our study (median of 12.45 μg g −1 dry weight) were substantially higher than those previously reported in the literature for the same species.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 69%

“…Other scavenging raptors are also likely to take up lead (see Rodriguez-Ramos Fernandez et al 2011). Among four examined bearded vultures from the Alps, only one had a low lead concentration in bones (6.50 μg g −1 ), while three had very high values (38.90-100.04 μg g −1 ; Bassi et al (2013), Bassi et al in press, own unpublished data).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…By replacement of calcium ions, this heavy metal is then slowly transferred into the bones, which ultimately contain >90% of the overall body burden. Whereas lead in liver and kidney has a turnover rate of weeks to months, bones constitute a long-term depot (Ethier et al 2007, Rodriguez-Ramos Fernandez et al 2011. As a consequence, lead levels in blood are measured for the diagnosis of poisoning in living birds, whereas analyses of liver and kidney are used for the post-mortem confirmation (see table 1).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Excessive lead burden among golden eagles in the Swiss Alps

Madry

Kræmer

Kupper

et al. 2015

Environ. Res. Lett.

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Fragments from lead ammunition pose a poisoning risk for predators like golden eagles that scavenge on non-retrieved carcasses or offal left behind by hunters. Three golden eagles were found in the Swiss Alps with an acute lead poisoning. To investigate whether the few cases of lead-poisoned golden eagles are exceptional events or whether a substantial proportion of the Alpine golden eagle population is affected by lead at sublethal levels, we measured body burdens in golden eagles from Switzerland in comparison to eagle owls from the same area and to their respective prey. These two raptor species differ in their food as eagle owls feed on live-caught prey. Lead levels in soft tissues were significantly higher in golden eagles (median 1.14 μg g −1 dry weight in liver, 0.99 μg g −1 in kidney) than in eagle owls (0.14 and 0.23 μg g −1 ). Bones of golden eagles contained 10 times more lead (median of 12.45 μg g −1 dry weight) than owl bones (1.28 μg g −1 ), which represent substantially higher levels than previously reported for golden eagles. Bones of prey of both golden eagles and eagle owls had low lead concentrations. In order to investigate whether the sublethal lead of golden eagles originates from ammunition or from generic environmental contamination, we examined lead isotope ratios. Lead isotope signatures of golden eagle bones were very similar to those of ammunition, but differed from the signatures of bones of their prey, eagle owls and soil. Isotope signatures did not change with increasing bone lead concentration in golden eagles or any other group examined. These findings indicate that in the Alps, most golden eagles take up lead from spent ammunition in carcasses or their offal in sublethal quantities throughout their life and a few in lethal quantities leading to acute lead poisoning.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 69%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Excessive lead burden among golden eagles in the Swiss Alps

Madry

Kræmer

Kupper

et al. 2015

Environ. Res. Lett.

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“…The authors suggested that, rather than lead increasing the susceptibility of eagles to the pesticides, it was possible that the birds were being exposed to both lead and pesticides through their diet (Wayland et al 2003). Rodriguez-Ramos Fernandez et al (2011) found no association between lead concentrations in tissues of Spanish imperial eagles (Aquila adalberti) and the causes of morbidity and mortality resulting in their admission to rehabilitation centers. In a study of several birds of prey, proportionally more birds with unknown cause of death or those diagnosed as gunshot had elevated tissue lead concentrations than did birds with other causes of death (Pain et al 1995).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

Lead and eagles: demographic and pathological characteristics of poisoning, and exposure levels associated with other causes of mortality

Franson

Russell

2014

Ecotoxicology

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We conducted a retrospective analysis to evaluate demographic and pathologic characteristics in 484 bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and 68 golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) diagnosed with lead poisoning at the U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center. As part of our analysis, we compared characteristics of lead poisoned eagles with those that died of other causes. Odds of lead poisoning were greater for bald eagles versus golden eagles, females versus males, adults versus juveniles, and eagles from the Mississippi and Central flyways versus the Atlantic and Pacific flyways. In addition to spatial, species, and demographic associations, we detected a distinct temporal trend in the collection date of lead poisoned bald eagle carcasses. These carcasses were found at greater frequency in late autumn and winter than spring and summer. Lesions in lead poisoned birds included emaciation, evidence of bile stasis, myocardial degeneration and necrosis, and renal tubular nephrosis and necrosis. Ingested lead ammunition or fragments were found in 14.2% of bald eagles and 11.8% of golden eagles. The overall mean liver lead concentration (wet weight basis) for eagles diagnosed with lead poisoning was 28.9 ± 0.69 SE mg/kg in bald eagles and 19.4 ± 1.84 SE mg/kg in golden eagles. In eagles diagnosed with collision trauma, electrocution, poisoning (other than lead), emaciation, infectious disease, trapping death, other, and undetermined causes, average liver lead concentrations were low (<1 mg/kg) and did not differ among causes of mortality. Thus, based on our data, we found no evidence that lead exposure of eagles predisposed them to other causes of mortality.

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“…En CastillaLa Mancha la presencia de perdigones en egagrópilas fue del 5.5 % durante el periodo de 1994(Castaño López 2005, observándose en esta zona un 3.6 % de águilas imperiales con niveles de plomo en hueso >20 µg/g p.s. (Rodríguez-Ramos et al 2011). De hecho, en el centro de España se describió un caso de intoxicación por plomo en esta especie (Hernández 1995).…”

Section: Intoxicación Por Plomo En Rapacesunclassified