Lead Shot Fragments Blamed for Bald Eagle Poisoning

Lead Shot Fragments Blamed for Bald Eagle Poisoning

Wildlife rehabilitation centers in Oregon and Missouri are treating an unusual number of bald eagle poisoning cases from lead, highlighting an ongoing threat to scavenging raptors. The Wildlife Center of the North Coast in Astoria admitted three bald eagles within a few weeks, with two testing positive for lead exposure. Staff members noted that receiving three eagles in such a short timeframe is uncommon for the facility. In January 2025, the World Bird Sanctuary in Missouri was forced to euthanize two bald eagles after intensive treatment failed to save them from severe lead poisoning. The birds showed no other injuries besides emaciation and elevated lead levels.

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“These two had no other physical injuries other than the fact that they were emaciated and had high levels of lead,” said Kira Klebee, the sanctuary’s rehabilitation director.

The World Bird Sanctuary in Missouri euthanized two bald eagles in January 2025 after intensive treatment for lead poisoning failed to save them

Bald Eagle Poisoning

Bald eagles frequently scavenge carrion and gut piles left by hunters. When these remains contain lead bullet fragments, the eagles ingest the toxic metal while feeding. A single lead bullet can fragment into hundreds of pieces that spread throughout a carcass.

Think Wild Wildlife Hospital in Bend treated a 4-year-old female bald eagle in April with severe lead poisoning. The bird exhibited head drooping, leg paralysis, and abnormal eye movement. Blood tests revealed lead levels of 22.2 micrograms per deciliter, more than twice the clinical threshold for poisoning.

Wildlife centers report that lead exposure in raptors peaks during and after hunting seasons when gut piles and unrecovered carcasses are most available. Spring bear season was open in both Northwest Oregon and the Bend area during the timeframe of the recent eagle admissions.

A 2022 study published in Science examined 1,210 eagles across 38 states over eight years. Researchers found that nearly half of all bald and golden eagles in North America show signs of chronic lead poisoning, with about one-third experiencing acute lead exposure.

The study identified scavenging on carcasses and gut piles left by hunters using lead ammunition as the primary cause of poisoning. Population models estimate that lead poisoning reduces bald eagle population growth by almost 4% annually and golden eagle population growth by nearly 1%.

Since 2021, Think Wild has treated more than 20 birds of prey for lead toxicity, including bald eagles, golden eagles, and turkey vultures. Only six of these birds survived treatment and returned to the wild.

The World Bird Sanctuary reported treating 64 patients for lead poisoning in 2024. The facility is currently caring for two other birds with lead poisoning: a red-shouldered hawk and a black vulture.

The National Parks Service illustrates how lead bullets break apart upon impact, creating toxic fragments that poison eagles feeding on gut piles and carcasses. Photo:NPS

Lead poisoning treatment requires intensive care, including chelation therapy to remove the metal from the bird’s system. Some cases require blood transfusions to dilute lead levels and combat symptoms while veterinarians work to extract the toxin.

“They’re going to usually get about 11 hours of monitored care throughout the day,” Klebee explained. “That blood transfusion can help dilute the lead that’s already in their blood, and hopefully fight off some of the symptoms of the lead poisoning.”

Despite intensive treatment efforts, many eagles cannot be saved once organ damage occurs. The two Missouri eagles were euthanized after their organs began shutting down.

Bald eagles rely heavily on carrion for food, putting them at risk when feeding on animals shot with lead ammunition. Photo: Sven Lachmann

While hunting ammunition represents the primary source of lead exposure for eagles, other sources include lost fishing tackle such as sinkers and jigs, lead-contaminated fish, and occasionally exposure at mining sites and landfills.

The U.S. Geological Survey supported the 2022 research that documented widespread lead exposure across North American eagle populations. The study’s findings align with reports from wildlife rehabilitation centers nationwide that consistently treat raptors for lead poisoning during hunting seasons.

Wildlife rehabilitation facilities continue monitoring and treating affected birds while collecting data on lead exposure patterns in raptor populations.

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Source: Lead Shot Fragments Blamed for Bald Eagle Poisoning