Toxicity Assessment on the Levels of Select Metals in the Critically Endangered Indian White-backed Vulture, Gyps bengalensis, in India

Abstract

To assess the potential contribution of metals to the catastrophic population decline of the White-backed Vulture, Gyps bengalensis, their concentrations in various organs was quantified. Liver, kidney, pectoral muscle, gut contents and femur bone were collected from dead birds between 1999 and 2008. These samples were analysed for lead, cadmium, copper and zinc, which were detected in all organs with no significant variation among tissues or between sexes. Moreover, high lead levels in liver (8.56 µg/g wet weight) and kidney (9.31 µg/g wet weight) in some individuals indicate toxic effects. Nonetheless, the levels of most metals measured in the present study may be considered as normal.

Elemental Contamination in Various Species of Birds from Select States in India

“…Of all the tissues, muscle accumulated the minimum concentration of all the elements (Cu-2.17±1.58 µg/g ww; Pb-6.11±2.36 µg/g ww; Cd-3.91±2.47 µg/g ww and Cr-1.11±0.46 µg/g ww). Rajamani and Subramanian [27] reported of lead 1.72 µg/g in muscle in Indian Whitebacked Vulture to be not toxic. Liver accumulated only copper in higher concentrations (3.56 ± 0.64 µg/g ww among other tissues.…”

“…In India studies on elemental contamination in birds are limited. However, there is some information available on sixteen species of aquatic birds in Koeladeo National Park, Bharatpur Muralidharan (24), House Sparrow in Jaipur Bakre and Sharma [2] and Indian White-backed Vulture Rajamani and Subramanian [27] in lead, cadmium, zinc and copper. Thus with the aim to generate more information on elemental contamination in birds in India, a study was launched, and information on 10 species of birds is presented in this article.…”

Analysis of Toxic Heavy Metals in the Pellets of Owls: A Novel Approach for the Evaluation of Environmental Pollutants

“…Free-ranging avian species are one of the most significant indicators for assessing the quality of environmental pollution and are non-targeted victims as they are frequently exposed to different contaminants in various directions [7,8]. In India, very little research has been done regarding pollutants and their effects on wild birds [2,15,16].…”

“…Nevertheless, raptorial birds are extremely susceptible to secondary poisoning through their prey [8]. Comprehensive study has not yet been done on metal accumulation in owls [9,10], and most of the current studies have focused on destructive samples such as the muscles, liver, brain, heart, kidneys, and bones [11].…”