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Lead contamination of golden eagles Aquila chrysaetos within the range of the California condor Gymnogyps californianus

P.H. Bloom·J. M. Scott·O. H. Pattee·M. R. Smith
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Abstract

Blood samples were taken from 66 golden eagles from June 1985 to January 1986 and analyzed for their lead content. Thirty-nine percent had blood lead levels greater than 0.2 ppm, indicating exposure to environmental lead. Within the exposed group, 3 had blood levels exceeding 0.6 ppm and one exceeded 1.0 ppm. These data suggest that lead, probably in the form of shot, bullets, or bullet fragments, poses a hazard to scavenging birds within the range of the California condor.

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P.H. Bloom, J. M. Scott, O. H. Pattee, M. R. Smith. 1989. Lead contamination of golden eagles Aquila chrysaetos within the range of the California condor Gymnogyps californianus. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/5210405

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