CAMDEN COUNTY, N.C. — Bald eagles are federally protected, but experts say they’re dying from bullets in North Carolina, WTKR reports.
Not because they’re being shot but because the lead found in
hunters’ bullets is making its way into their systems.
A male eagle found in Camden County, North Carolina was weak and
dehydrated and had a much more frightening symptom: lead poisoning.
“Birds die and quite often they are exhibiting signs that
are too bad,” said Lou Browning with Hatteras Island Wildlife Rehabilitation. They’ve
gone too far and they are euthanized.”
Browning says 70 to 80% of
the eagles that are treated have high levels of lead in their system, and the
effects are devastating.
This year alone, Browning says
there have been 9 cases of eagles found with lead poisoning in northeastern North
Carolina.
“If they start showing
other signs that there has been so much damage to their system then ethically
you need to put them out of their misery,” Browning said.
He says hunters are to blame
for this heavy metal showing up their system.
“They’re getting most of
the lead from scavenging deer carcasses and other carcasses that have been shot
and left in the woods,” Browning said.
Browning is now calling on
hunters to make a small change that could have a big impact.
“The most direct thing
would be to switch — if you’re deer hunting for instance – switch to copper
bullets instead of lead,” Browning said.
Source: Fox 8 News Channel
Be First to Comment