Pennsylvania Wildlife Federation, the educational arm of PA Federation of Sportsmen and Conservationists awarded three $500 grants to regional wildlife rehabilitation centers across Pennsylvania. 

The grants totaling $1,500 will be used to purchase lead test kits.  These kits are a vital step in the rehabilitation of raptors, especially Bald Eagles suffering from the effects of lead poisoning.

The grants went to--

-- Red Creek Wildlife Center, 300 Moon Hill Dr., Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill County;

-- Tamarack Wildlife Rehab Center, 21601 Stull Rd., Saegertown, Crawford County; and

-- Centre Wildlife Care, P.O. Box 572, Lemont, Centre County.

These donations will allow each center to purchase enough lead test kits to sustain their missions for one year. 

“This is helping specifically eagles, osprey, other birds of prey such as Cooper’s hawks that often suffer from lead poisoning as well as loons, grebes, and swans,” said Peggy Hentz, Director, Red Creek Wildlife Center.  “So it’s a large variety of birds that this is going to help.”

Studies have found that raptors and especially eagles are highly sensitive to the effects of lead poisoning.  Consuming a fragment of lead the size of a grain of rice is enough to cause death in eagles. 

Visible symptoms of lead poisoning in birds include:

-- A bird may be unable to stand, may appear “drunk”

-- Can be easily approached

-- Respiratory distress with open mouth breathing

-- Muscle weakness

-- Dehydration and starvation

-- Seizures

“This donation is the first step by PWF in education.  PWF and PFSC support the work of these regional wildlife rehabilitation centers and all wildlife rehabbers in Pennsylvania,” said Harold Daub, Executive Director of PWF and PFSC.  “We strive to be part of the solution to problems affecting Pennsylvania’s wildlife, and clearly, lead poisoning is of growing concern.  These test kits are crucial for a quick diagnosis and help with a speedy recovery of any raptor or bird that ingests lead.

“This is not an effort to ban lead ammunition. We urge anyone using lead-based ammunition to take precautions like burying the entrails and properly disposing of the carcass after processing.  

“If people become more aware that bullets containing lead can cause illness to birds such as bald eagles; they may choose to use a different type of ammunition.  We urge using non-toxic ammunition.  It is widely available in many popular calibers and gauges,” said Daub.

For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the PA Federation of Sportsmen and Conservationists website.

(Photo: Harold Daub, Federation, and Peggy Hentz, Red Creek Wildlife Center.)

Resource Links:

Game Commission - Lead Poisoning In Wildlife

Game Commission - Bald Eagles & Lead

Tamarack Wildlife Center - Lead Poisoning & Eagles

Centre Wildlife Care - Lead Poisoning In Wildlife

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[Posted: August 5, 2020]

8/10/2020