In the past week, Avian Haven has admitted four lead-poisoned Bald Eagles, including this immature bird, rescued in Oakland yesterday. The caller said the eagle had been on the ground since the night before. Terry went, and was able to pick up the eagle without a struggle.

The young eagle was very thin and weak. We gave him fluids and started chelation therapy immediately to remove the lead from his blood stream. He is alive this morning, and standing, but still very weak.

The other three eagles were adults – none survived:
BAEA 21-68, captured in Gray on January 20. Blood lead level was very high, and we started treatment immediately, but by the next morning he was already in respiratory distress.

BAEA 21-76, captured on the ice, Maranacook Lake, Winthrop, on January 23. Blood lead level was high, and the eagle was spinning in circles, a sign of neurological damage. We started treatment, but by the next morning it was evident the eagle was too far gone to continue.

BAEA 21-78, captured in Sweden, also on January 23. Blood lead level was high, the eagle was already in advanced respiratory distress on intake, and did not survive the day.

These animals, as well as many others, injest the lead from gut piles containing lead shot fragments. There are alternatives to lead shot available to hunters.