Lead poisoning from ammunition is threatening efforts to establish endangered California condors in the wild Southwest. According to the latest report from the Southwest California Condor Reintroduction Program, condors are poisoned when they eat the carcasses of animals that have been shot with lead ammunition.
In the program's 15 year history, 61 of 149 condors died or went missing. Lead poisoning was the diagnosed cause of death 48 percent of the time, and scientists estimate that undiagnosed condors may have died from lead poisoning as well.
Arizona's hunters have responded well to non-lead ammunition programs, but only 5 percent of Utah's hunters participate. Endangered birds continue to die because of their use of lead. Please urge wildlife officials to enact a ban on lead ammunition in the Southwest!
Dear U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:
As you know, lead poisoning from ammunition is threatening efforts to establish endangered California condors in the wild Southwest. According to the latest report from the Southwest California Condor Reintroduction Program, condors are poisoned when they eat the carcasses of animals that have been shot with lead ammunition.
In the program's 15 year history, 61 of 149 condors died or went missing. Lead poisoning was the diagnosed cause of death 48 percent of the time, and scientists estimate that undiagnosed condors may have died from lead poisoning as well.
Arizona's hunters have responded well to non-lead ammunition programs, but only 5 percent of Utah's hunters participate. Endangered birds continue to die because of their use of lead. We believe that a complete ban on lead ammunition is necessary to save these birds. Please consider enacting a ban on lead ammunition in the Southwest. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider our petition.
