[ad_1]
NEW YORK —
Bald eagles have lifted themselves from the brink of extinction in the United States but deaths caused by lead poisoning from ingesting hunters’ bullets left in wildlife remains are holding back their population recovery, scientists say.
Population increases of the majestic bird recognized as the national symbol of the United States have been suppressed by 6.3 percent for males and 4.2 percent for females, said the study by researchers at the Department of Public and Ecosystem Health at Cornell University, published in the Journal of Wildlife Management this week.
“Mortalities from the ingestion of (lead) reduced the long-term growth rate and resiliency of bald eagles in the northeast United States over the last 3 decades,” the study said.
The lead is found in organs left behind in the wild by hunters who “field dress,” or gut, their kill, abandoning the contaminated remains to be scavenged by eagles.
Once threatened by the use of the insecticide DDT to help control disease during the Second World War, bald eagle populations have recovered enough that the species was removed from the national endangered and threatened list in 2021.
But less robust growth rates mean the eagle population could be more vulnerable to other challenges such as natural disasters or disease spread, Cornell researchers said.
“While abundances have increased, ingested (lead) has a negative effect on eagle populations in the northeast United States… these conditions have stressed the resilience of this population,” researchers said in the study.
Political skirmishes over lead bullets have divided Americans and have even reached the White House. President Barack Obama’s Fish and Wildlife Service issued a ban on lead ammunition to protect wildlife in January 2017, one day before the inauguration of incoming president Donald Trump.
Less than two months later, on his first day as Trump’s Interior Secretary, Ryan Zinke overturned the prohibition to the cheers of the National Rifle Association.
In the Cornell study’s most recent year – 2018 – there were 2,050 breeding females, a reduction of an estimated 98 breeding females as a result of lead poisoning. Similarly, in 2018, there were 10,172 females who were not reproducing, a reduction of an estimated 742 non-breeding females as a result of lead poisoning, said Cornell researcher Brenda Hanley.
In 2018 there were 2,050 breeding males, a maximal reduction of an estimated 65 breeding males as a result of lead poisoning. Similarly, here were 10,172 males who were not reproducing, a maximum reduction of an estimated 1,645 non-breeding males as a result of lead poisoning, Hanley told Reuters.
“This study can be used by state and federal wildlife managers… to inform policy surrounding the use of lead ammunition or to educate hunters on the population-scale effects of their ammunition choices,” researchers said in the study.
[ad_2]
Source link
874712 82837My wife style of bogus body art were being quite unsafe. Mother worked with gun initial, soon after which they your lover snuck free upon an tattoo ink ink. I was positive the fact just about every ought to not be epidermal, due to the tattoo ink could be attracted from the entire body. make an own temporary tattoo 195269
905580 865850Thank you for some other informative web site. The place else may just I get that kind of information written in such an ideal way? 69620
917999 864228Outstanding post, I conceive people should larn a good deal from this web website its truly user genial . 983030
319054 526624I truly enjoy looking by way of on this web website , it holds superb content material . 728007
806380 265507I havent checked in here for some time as I thought it was finding boring, but the last few posts are great quality so I guess Ill add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend 874327
942975 647551You need to join in a contest initial with the greatest blogs on the web. I will recommend this web web site! 706367
551977 695307never saw a internet site like this, relaly impressed. compared to other blogs with this post this was definatly the top website. will save. 768510
936235 768022Outstanding post, I think blog owners really should larn a good deal from this weblog its really user genial . 749401
918491 303732Couldn?t be developed any greater. Reading this post reminds me of my old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this report to him. Pretty certain he will possess a excellent read. Thanks for sharing! 718347
218184 368644Simply a smiling visitor here to share the love (:, btw excellent pattern . 175568
943397 921105I see something really intriguing about your web website so I saved to bookmarks . 930834
95231 461601Its superb as your other posts : D, regards for posting . 293564
434043 649455An fascinating dialogue is value comment. I feel that it is greatest to write extra on this matter, it may possibly not be a taboo subject even so normally individuals are not enough to speak on such topics. Towards the next. Cheers 588453
799973 705712Some actually superb info , Sword lily I located this. 618911
249506 86482As I site possessor I believe the content matter here is rattling amazing , appreciate it for your efforts. You ought to keep it up forever! Very best of luck. 137775
994185 324330I as properly conceive so , perfectly indited post! . 956757