Lead-Shot Exposure in Red-Legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa) on a Driven Shooting Estate

Abstract

The goal of the study was to investigate the accumulation and spatial patterns of spent lead (Pb) shot pellets and the prevalence of shot ingestion in red-legged partridge in a driven shooting estate. Soil was collected using a regular sampling design perpendicular to three shooting lines. Factors involved in shot spatial distribution were investigated by a causal structural equation model (SEM). Shot ingestion prevalence and liver and bone Pb concentrations were studied in partridges hunted in 2004 and 2006. Shot soil-burden averaged 73,600 units/ha (i.e., 8.1 kg/ha). Shot density was significantly higher in front of than behind shooting lines, with greatest accumulation occurring at between 40-110 m and in certain ecotones (i.e., shrubland-dry cropland). Analyses revealed 7.8% of partridges with evidence of Pb shot ingestion. Particle size in diet, grit-size composition, and shot ingestion prevalence were significantly higher in 2004 than in 2006, indicating that supplying partridges with large seeds (i.e., corn) may increase the risk of Pb shot ingestion. Moving shooting lines into croplands and controlling seed size used for diet supplementation may reduce shot ingestion.

Dosing of adult pigeons with as little as one #9 lead pellet caused severe δ-ALAD depression, suggesting potential adverse effects in wild populations

“…Analysis of partridges (Alectoris rufa) on the grounds of a popular shooting estate, with average amounts of 73,600 Pb shot units/ha, found 7.8 % of the birds containing ingested Pb shot pellets, with a positive correlation between shot ingestion and large seed particles in the diet (Ferrandis et al 2008). Interestingly, particle retention time for these or other birds has not been well studied.…”

Intoxicación por munición de plomo en aves silvestres en España y medidas para reducir el riesgo

“…Únicamente Ferrandis et al (2008) estudiaron la densidad de perdigones en una finca de caza menor del centro de España dedicada principalmente a la caza "en ojeo" de la perdiz roja (Alectoris rufa). La densidad reportada fue de 7.4 perdigones/m 2 a 1 cm de profundidad del suelo.…”

“…En cuanto a la ingestión de perdigones de plomo, Soler- Rodríguez et al (2004) examinaron la molleja de siete perdices rojas cazadas y una de ellas había ingerido 14 perdigones y presentaba 35.6 µg/g de plomo en peso húmedo del hígado. Más recientemente, Ferrandis et al (2008) examinaron 76 perdices rojas cazadas en la misma finca donde se estudió la densidad de perdigones de plomo y la prevalencia de ingestión de perdigones fue del 3.9 %.…”

Use of grit supplements by waterbirds: an experimental assessment of strategies to reduce lead poisoning

“…Grit supplementation as defined here could also be applied in uplands or shooting ranges that have a shortage of grit where Pb shot ingestion by wild birds is documented (Ferrandis et al 2008;Thomas et al 2009). In conclusion, the present paper provides new information to understand grit selection and ingestion by waterbirds as well as the economic cost per hectare for grit supplementation by wetland managers.…”

“…Lead shot ingestion is therefore a threat for birds inhabiting intensively hunted environments with low availability of grit, e.g. coastal wetlands (Pain 1990;Mateo et al 1997), uplands or shooting ranges (Ferrandis et al 2008; Thomas et al 2009). …”