Lead-induced mortality appears to have been a major factor in the decline of the California condor (Gymnogyps californianus). We orally dosed turkey vultures (Cathartes aura) with BB-sized lead shot from January 1988 through July 1988 to determine physiologic response (delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase inhibition, erythrocyte protoporphyrin levels, anemia), diagnostic tissue lead concentrations (blood, liver, and kidney), and comparative sensitivity of this species. Two turkey vultures died and two became so intoxicated they were euthanized. Overall, responses of measured parameters were comparable to other species exposed to lead although there was considerable individual variation. Survival time (143–211 days), even with the large numbers of shot and constant redosing, was much longer than reported for other species of birds, suggesting considerable tolerance by turkey vultures to the deleterious effects of lead ingestion. Based on these observations, turkey vultures appear to be poor models for assessing the risk of lead poisoning to California condors or predicting their physiologic response.
TOXICOLOGY|
January 01 2003
EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING IN TURKEY VULTURES (CATHARTES AURA)
James W. Carpenter;
James W. Carpenter
1 USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, 11510 American Holly Drive, Laurel, Maryland 20708-4019, USA
2 Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, USA
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Oliver H. Pattee;
Oliver H. Pattee
7
1 USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, 11510 American Holly Drive, Laurel, Maryland 20708-4019, USA
7 Corresponding author (email: [email protected])
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Steven H. Fritts;
Steven H. Fritts
1 USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, 11510 American Holly Drive, Laurel, Maryland 20708-4019, USA
3 US Fish and Wildlife Service, Migratory Birds and State Programs, P.O. Box 25486, Denver, Colorado 80225, USA
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Barnett A. Rattner;
Barnett A. Rattner
1 USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, 11510 American Holly Drive, Laurel, Maryland 20708-4019, USA
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Stanley N. Wiemeyer;
Stanley N. Wiemeyer
1 USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, 11510 American Holly Drive, Laurel, Maryland 20708-4019, USA
4 US Fish and Wildlife Service, Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office, 1340 Financial Boulevard, Suite 234, Reno, Nevada 89502, USA
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J. Andrew Royle;
J. Andrew Royle
1 USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, 11510 American Holly Drive, Laurel, Maryland 20708-4019, USA
5 US Fish and Wildlife Service, Migratory Bird Management, 11510 American Holly Drive, Laurel, Maryland 20708-4019, USA
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Milton R. Smith
Milton R. Smith
6 USGS National Wildlife Health Research Center, 6006 Schroeder Road, Madison, Wisconsin 53711, USA
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J Wildl Dis (2003) 39 (1): 96–104.
Article history
Received:
February 26 2001
Citation
James W. Carpenter, Oliver H. Pattee, Steven H. Fritts, Barnett A. Rattner, Stanley N. Wiemeyer, J. Andrew Royle, Milton R. Smith; EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING IN TURKEY VULTURES (CATHARTES AURA). J Wildl Dis 1 January 2003; 39 (1): 96–104. doi: https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-39.1.96
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