1
|
Krüger SC, Botha A, Bowerman W, Coverdale B, Gore ML, van den Heever L, Shaffer LJ, Smit-Robinson H, Thompson LJ, Ottinger MA. Old World Vultures Reflect Effects of Environmental Pollutants Through Human Encroachment. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:1586-1603. [PMID: 35673892 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
African wildlife face challenges from many stressors including current and emerging contaminants, habitat and resource loss, poaching, intentional and unintentional poisoning, and climate-related environmental change. The plight of African vultures exemplifies these challenges due to environmental contaminants and other stressors acting on individuals and populations that are already threatened or endangered. Many of these threats emanate from increasing human population size and settlement density, habitat loss from changing land use for agriculture, residential areas, and industry, and climate-related changes in resource availability. Environmental chemicals that are hazardous include legacy chemicals, emerging chemicals of concern, and high-volume-use chemicals that are employed as weed killers and in other agricultural applications. Furthermore, there are differences in risk for species living in close proximity to humans or in areas affected by habitat loss, climate, and industry. Monitoring programs are essential to track the status of nesting pairs, offspring survival, longevity, and lifetime productivity. This is important for long-lived birds, such as vultures, that may be especially vulnerable to chronic exposure to chemicals as obligate scavengers. Furthermore, their position in the food web may increase risk due to biomagnification of chemicals. We review the primary chemical hazards to Old World vultures and the interacting stressors affecting these and other birds. Habitat is a major consideration for vultures, with tree-nesters and cliff-nesters potentially experiencing different risks of exposure to environmental chemicals. The present review provides information from long-term monitoring programs and discusses a range of these threats and their effects on vulture populations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:1586-1603. © 2022 SETAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sonja C Krüger
- Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Scientific Services, Cascades, South Africa
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, South Africa
| | - Andre Botha
- Endangered Wildlife Trust, Midrand, South Africa
| | - William Bowerman
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Brent Coverdale
- Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Scientific Services, Cascades, South Africa
| | - Meredith L Gore
- Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | | | - L Jen Shaffer
- Department of Anthropology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Hanneline Smit-Robinson
- BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Applied Behavioural Ecological & Ecosystem Research Unit, University of South Africa, Florida, South Africa
| | - Lindy J Thompson
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, South Africa
- Endangered Wildlife Trust, Midrand, South Africa
| | - Mary Ann Ottinger
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gonzalez‐Jassi HA, Jakobek B, Ebbott A, Bie F, Cusack L. Successful medical management of an acute case of pentobarbital toxicosis in a wild bald eagle (
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
). VETERINARY RECORD CASE REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/vrc2.381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hugo A. Gonzalez‐Jassi
- Atlantic Veterinary College University of Prince Edward Island Charlottetown Prince Edward Island Canada
- Louisiana State University Baton Rouge Louisiana USA
| | - Benjamin Jakobek
- Atlantic Veterinary College University of Prince Edward Island Charlottetown Prince Edward Island Canada
- Faculté de medicine vétérinaire Université de Montréal Hyacinthe Quebec Canada
| | - Austin Ebbott
- Atlantic Veterinary College University of Prince Edward Island Charlottetown Prince Edward Island Canada
| | - Fiep Bie
- Atlantic Veterinary College University of Prince Edward Island Charlottetown Prince Edward Island Canada
| | - Lara Cusack
- Atlantic Veterinary College University of Prince Edward Island Charlottetown Prince Edward Island Canada
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Helander B, Krone O, Räikkönen J, Sundbom M, Ågren E, Bignert A. Major lead exposure from hunting ammunition in eagles from Sweden. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 795:148799. [PMID: 34246138 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to lead (Pb) from ammunition in scavenging and raptorial birds has achieved worldwide recognition based on incidences of lethal poisoning, but exposure implies also sublethal levels with potential harmful effects. Background and elevated Pb levels in liver from 116 golden eagles (GE, Aquila chrysaetos) and 200 white-tailed sea eagles (WTSE, Haliaeetus albicilla) from Sweden 2003-2011 are here examined, with supporting data from a previous WTSE report and eagle owl (EO, Bubu bubo) report. GE and WTSE display seasonal patterns, with no Pb level exceeding a generally accepted threshold for subclinical effects during summer but strongly elevated levels from October. Fledged juveniles show significantly lower levels than all other age classes, but reach levels found in older birds in autumn after the start of hunting seasons. Pb levels in EO (non-scavenger) show no seasonal changes and indicate no influence from ammunition, and are close to levels observed in juvenile eagles before October. In all, 15% WTSE and 7% GE were lethally poisoned. In areas with high-exposure to hunting ammunition, 24% of WTSE showed lethal Pb levels, compared to 7% in both eagle species from low-exposure areas. Lethal poisoning of WTSE remained as frequent after (15%) as before (13%) a partial ban on use of Pb-based shotgun ammunition over shallow waters (2002). Pb levels increased significantly in WTSE 1981-2011, in contrast to other biota from the same period. A significant decrease of Pb in WTSE liver occurred below a threshold at 0.25 μg/g (dry weight), exceeded by 81% of the birds. Trend patterns in Pb isotope ratios lend further support to this estimated cut-off level for environmental background concentrations. Pb from spent ammunition affects a range of scavenging and predatory species. A shift to Pb-free ammunition to save wildlife from unnecessary harm is an important environmental and ethical issue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Björn Helander
- Swedish Museum of Natural History, Department of Environmental Research & Monitoring (NRM), SE-10405 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Oliver Krone
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Alfred-Kowalke-Strasse 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jannikke Räikkönen
- Swedish Museum of Natural History, Department of Environmental Research & Monitoring (NRM), SE-10405 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marcus Sundbom
- Department of Environmental Science (ACES), Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Erik Ågren
- National Veterinary Institute, Department of Pathology and Wildlife Diseases (SVA), SE-75189 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anders Bignert
- Swedish Museum of Natural History, Department of Environmental Research & Monitoring (NRM), SE-10405 Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Descalzo E, Camarero PR, Sánchez-Barbudo IS, Martinez-Haro M, Ortiz-Santaliestra ME, Moreno-Opo R, Mateo R. Integrating active and passive monitoring to assess sublethal effects and mortality from lead poisoning in birds of prey. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 750:142260. [PMID: 33182217 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The ingestion of lead (Pb) ammunition is the most important exposure pathway to this metal in birds and involve negative consequences to their health. We have performed a passive monitoring of Pb poisoning in birds of prey by measuring liver (n = 727) and blood (n = 32) Pb levels in individuals of 16 species found dead or sick in Spain between 2004 and 2020. We also performed an active monitoring by measuring blood Pb levels and biomarkers of haem biosynthesis, phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) metabolism, oxidative stress and immune function in individuals (n = 194) of 9 species trapped alive in the field between 2016 and 2017. Passive monitoring results revealed some species with liver Pb levels associated with severe clinical poisoning (>30 μg/g d.w. of Pb): Eurasian griffon vulture (27/257, 10.5%), red kite (1/132, 0.8%), golden eagle (4/38, 10.5%), and Northern goshawk (1/8, 12.5%). The active monitoring results showed that individuals of bearded vulture (1/3, 33.3%), Eurasian griffon vulture (87/118, 73.7%), Spanish imperial eagle (1/6, 16.7%) and red kite (1/18, 5.6%) had abnormal blood Pb levels (>20 μg/dL). Blood Pb levels increased with age, and both monitoring methods showed seasonality in Pb exposure associated with a delayed effect of the hunting season. In Eurasian griffon, blood Pb concentration was associated with lower δ-ALAD activity in blood and P levels in plasma, and with higher blood lipid peroxidation and plasma carotenoid levels in agreement with other experimental and field studies in Pb-exposed birds. The study reveals that Pb poisoning is a significant cause of death and sublethal effects on haem biosynthesis, P metabolism and oxidative stress in birds of prey in Spain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Esther Descalzo
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC - CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Pablo R Camarero
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC - CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Inés S Sánchez-Barbudo
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC - CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Mónica Martinez-Haro
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC - CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain; Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal (IRIAF), CIAG del Chaparrillo, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Manuel E Ortiz-Santaliestra
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC - CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Rubén Moreno-Opo
- Subdirección General de Biodiversidad Terrestre y Marina, Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica y el Reto Demográfico Pza, San Juan de la Cruz s/n, 28071, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Mateo
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC - CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Schmuecker SJ, Becker DA, Lanzone MJ, Fogg B, Romano SP, Katzner TE, Miller TA. Use of Upland and Riparian Areas by Wintering Bald Eagles and Implications for Wind Energy. J Wildl Manage 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Drew A. Becker
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 3425 Miriam Avenue Bismarck ND 58501 USA
| | - Michael J. Lanzone
- Cellular Tracking Technologies 1293 Hornet Road, Suite 1 Rio Grande NJ 08242 USA
| | - Bob Fogg
- Cellular Tracking Technologies 1293 Hornet Road, Suite 1 Rio Grande NJ 08242 USA
| | - Susan P. Romano
- Saddleback Mountain Forestry & Environmental Consulting 330 Winding Hill Road Northwood NH 03261 USA
| | - Todd E. Katzner
- U.S. Geological Society, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center 970 Lusk Street Boise ID 83706 USA
| | - Tricia A. Miller
- Conservation Science Global 303 West Drive Cape May NJ 08204 USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Katzner TE, Carlisle JD, Poessel SA, Thomason EC, Pauli BP, Pilliod DS, Belthoff JR, Heath JA, Parker KJ, Warner KS, Hayes HM, Aberg MC, Ortiz PA, Amdor SM, Alsup SE, Coates SE, Miller TA, Duran ZK. Illegal killing of nongame wildlife and recreational shooting in conservation areas. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Todd E. Katzner
- US Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center Boise Idaho USA
| | - Jay D. Carlisle
- Intermountain Bird Observatory, Department of Biological Sciences Boise State University Boise Idaho USA
| | - Sharon A. Poessel
- US Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center Boise Idaho USA
| | - Eve C. Thomason
- US Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center Boise Idaho USA
- Raptor Research Center Boise State University Boise Idaho USA
| | - Benjamin P. Pauli
- Biology Department Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Winona Minnesota USA
| | - David S. Pilliod
- US Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center Boise Idaho USA
| | - James R. Belthoff
- Raptor Research Center Boise State University Boise Idaho USA
- Department of Biological Sciences Boise State University Boise Idaho USA
| | - Julie A. Heath
- Raptor Research Center Boise State University Boise Idaho USA
- Department of Biological Sciences Boise State University Boise Idaho USA
| | - Kristina J. Parker
- US Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center Boise Idaho USA
- Department of Biological Sciences Boise State University Boise Idaho USA
| | | | - Heather M. Hayes
- Intermountain Bird Observatory, Department of Biological Sciences Boise State University Boise Idaho USA
| | - Madeline C. Aberg
- Department of Biological Sciences Boise State University Boise Idaho USA
| | - Patricia A. Ortiz
- US Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center Boise Idaho USA
| | - Sandra M. Amdor
- Raptor Research Center Boise State University Boise Idaho USA
| | - Steven E. Alsup
- Raptor Research Center Boise State University Boise Idaho USA
| | - Stephanie E. Coates
- Intermountain Bird Observatory, Department of Biological Sciences Boise State University Boise Idaho USA
| | - Tricia A. Miller
- Conservation Science Global West Cape May New Jersey USA
- Division of Forestry & Natural Resources, West Virginia University Morgantown West Virginia USA
| | | |
Collapse
|