SOAR
saving our avian resources
SOAR
25494 320th Street
Dedham, IA 51440
Phone: (712) 683-5555
Fax: (712) 683-5535
www.soarraptors.org
diversityfarms@iowatelecom.net
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SOAR saving our avian resources |
SOAR 25494 320th Street Dedham, IA 51440 Phone: (712) 683-5555 Fax: (712) 683-5535 www.soarraptors.org |
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Bald
Eagles and Lead Poisoning in Iowa Summary of Bald Eagles admitted in 2004 - March 2005 to SOAR 2004 1) February - An approximately six to seven year old bald eagle admitted from Woodbury County Iowa with fractured metacarpals (finger bones) and a deep laceration in that area of the wing tip. Possible collision with a fence. My cooperating veterinarian stitched things together and a supportive wrap was applied. With wound flushing and antibiotics the bird recovered nicely, spent some time in the large flight area, and was released. We were able to release her in the area where she was found. At release, she weighed 9.5 lbs and was wearing band #629-40368 plus a red band on right leg with the letters BS. 2) July - An adult bald eagle was held over night and transferred here from Linda Hinshaw, Orphaned and Injured Wildlife, Inc. from Spirit Lake, IA. The bird had fractures of the radius and ulna in the left wing. These fractures were already healed beyond movemnt when admitted to Linda. The bird was found near Linn Grove, IA along the Little Sioux River near a known nest site. Iowa DNR biologists watching the nest reported that the male and two fledglings were doing fine at the nest, but the female was missing. On x-ray it was determined that the bird had been shot with a rifle and there was nothing further that could be surgically done to the fractures. Justin Mays, USFWS, has investigated this incident. The radius/ulna portion of the left wing has a very slight bow to it due to healing without being set. The bird is flying well in the flight pen and is due for release within a few weeks. 3) October - A 2004 hatch year bald eagle was admitted from Calhoun County Iowa. The bird was starving, covered with a greasy substance, and having seizures. Blood tests showed very low lead levels (9 micrograms/deciliter - below the poisoning threshold of 10 micrograms/deciliter) and negtive for mercury. Some sort of toxin was suspected. After several baths and a nice weight gain, the seizures stopped. This bird is flying in the flight pen and due for release at the end of March. 4) December - An adult bald eagle was admitted from northwest Iowa to Linda Hinshaw, Orphaned and Injured Wildlife, Inc. Linda's veterinarian, Dr. Ross Dirks, did x-rays and ran blood tests. Lead shrapnel was found in the birds's digestive tract on x-ray. Linda immediately began fluids and cheletion therapy with calcium disodium versanate. The bird was then transerred here. We continued chelation therapy and the bird seemed to be responding well and was holding food down. She died suddenly just at the end of the second round of injections. Blood levels in this bird were 2.0ppm. Apparently too high to successfully treat. The carcass was shipped to the USFWS Repository in Colorado. 5) December - An adult bald eagle was admiteed from Kossuth County Iowa. The bird had no fractures and was a bit thin, but not starving. We administered fluids and were scheduled to do blood tests the next morning. This bird died over night . I called to get permission from the USFWS Repository to pull the bird's liver for lead analysis. Lead levels in the liver were 21.0 ppm! Extreme. The carcass was shipped to the USFWS Repository in Colorado. 6) December - A juvenile bald eagle was admitted by Linda Hinshaw - Spirit Lake, IA - It died prior to transfer to SOAR with blodd lead levels of 1.7ppm. Linda shopped carcass to USFWS Repository in Colorado. 2005: 1) January - A 2004 hatch year bald eagle was admitted from Woodbury County Iowa (Missouri River border) with the tip of its beak broken off and "skid" marks on its cere - as if she had flown head long into something. She was starving (just seven pounds on admission). She gained two pounds in ten ten days and then bagan vomiting food and producing green mutes. Blood tests showed lead levels of 113 micrograms/deciliter. Chelation therapy with calcium disodim versanate was begun immediately. The bird resonded rapidly to this therapy and quit vomiting and mutes became normal colored. Apparently the lead disoriented the bird enough to cause a collision with something. As the bird starved, organs were shut down locking up the lead in the liver. As she recovered from starvatgion the lver started up again - releasing the lead, explaining the delay in poisoning symptoms. This bird is doing well, it appears that the beak will regrow, but I am uncertain as to how long this may take. We will run one more series of blood work to be sure the lead is gone. 2) February - A third year bald eagle was admitted from Dallas County Iowa (near Perry, IA) thin and with an injury to one toe. It appeared as though something had been wound around the toe cutting into it, possibly fishing line?? Blood tests showed very low lead levels (6 microgams/deciliter - below the poisoning threshold of 10 micrograms/deciliter), but a high white blood cell count. This bird is doing well on antibiotics and wound flushing. It will be released as soon as the toe is completely healed. 3) March - An adult bald eagle was admitted from Marion County, IA. This bird had a fractured radis and bruising. Blood tests showed lead below the poisoning threshold (4 micrograms/deciliter). Healing nicely, doing well. 4) March - An adult bald eagle was admitted from Dallas County, IA. This bird had no fractures and was in good body condition (10 pounds). It was in respiratory distress and could not stand. X-ray showed nothing in digestive tract. This bird died overnight, after two injections. Liver analysis showed 32 ppm lead! 5) March - An adult bald eagle was admitted from Lyon County, IA. This bird's wings hung and was having difficulty standing.There was bruising on the chest but x-ray showed no fractures and nothing in digestive tract. Lead levels were below the poisoning threshold. With fluids and steroids, this bird recovered nicely and has been released. 6) March - An adult bald eagle was admitted from Woodbury County, IA. This bird was in respiratory distress and mutes were exceptionally green. This bird died overnight. Good body condition (11 pounds) and x-ray showed no fractures and nothing in the digestive tract. Liver analysis showed 7.5ppm lead and neocropsy showed ulcers and bleeding into intestines. 7) April - A hatch year 2004 bald eagle was admitted with its wing tip missing, radius ulna fractures. It was very under weight (7 pounds 10 ounces). It ate well and gained weight and showed no signs of lead poisoning. Blood lead levels were .3 ppm lead. Treatment is underway.
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