Lead exposure is one of the leading causes of sickness and death in raptors caused by humans. The scientific literature examining this issue has found a positive correlation between big game hunting season and blood lead levels in birds such as turkey vultures, common ravens, bald eagles, and the California condor. Lead ammunition, which is fragmented and dispersed throughout much of the target animal upon impact, is thought to be the source of this issue. Birds that scavenge on the discarded remains will ingest bits of the lead ammunition. Lead poisoning in turn can cause symptoms such as weakness, refusal to eat, lack of muscle coordination, fatigue, and death in severe cases. A study conducted on bald eagles in Wyoming concluded that switching to non-lead ammunition will reduce the number of birds affected by lead poisoning. This film examines the issue at hand and what is being done to help birds that are found with high blood lead levels. We met with the people from the Carolina Raptor Center and Wild for Life, who come in contact with birds affected by lead poisoning on a regular basis. The film highlights the reason lead poisoning is occurring, what can be done, and our moral obligation to nature as human beings.
