Wildlife Preservation Bureau of Hokkaido; Corp.
Save the endangered eagles from lead poisoning !

Lead poisoning caused by ingestion of lead shot has been acknowledged as a serious problem.  White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) and Steller's Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus) are designated as Japanese natural monuments and are listed in the Law Concerning the Preservation of Species. Lead poisoning in these species was first confirmed in February 1996. 8 cases were seen in eastern Hokkaido between January and May 1997 , and 21 from December 1997 to April 1998, and 25 in winter 1998 - 1999.  Fragments of lead  bullets, mixed with a large quantity of hair from Shika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) were found in the stomach of twelve eagles (two-thirds of all carcasses examinated). Lead bullets are used for their increased killing power. These bullets easily fragment on impact and cause extensive tissue damage. Our observations have revealed that eagles prey on deer that have been shot, eating the flesh in the area of the bullet wound, a place where the raptor can readily get to the exposed flesh. It is assumed that the eagles take in many lead fragments as a result.  Sea eagles have recently migrated inland, because of the lack of food available in the coastal environment.  A review of the records of other veterinary facilities dealing with diseased wild raptors may provide more insight in the prevalence of the problem.

We suspect that there are many more cases that have not been identified. It seems to be fairly commonplace for eagles to die of or be found suffering from lead poisoning.We should not stand by without taking any action against this situation.  In order to change this grave situation, in addition to the traditional prohibition of the use of lead pellets in waterfowl hunting, we should actively disseminate the fact that deer hunting with rifle bullets is a major cause of lead poisoning among eagles, and apply pressure to the government to regulate it. We strongly request that researchers and ornithologists disclose any such lead poisoning cases with this in mind.Recently, a plan to control deer population by culling them from 120,000 to 30,000 animals within next three years was started from Novembr 1998 in eastern Hokkaido Japan.  If the plan is carried out using hunting guns with lead bullet as traditionally, there is no doubt that lead poisoning in eagles will become far more serious.

We believe this problem could be easily remedied if the Japanese Government mandated thathunters use all-copper rifle bullets or shotgun slugs. These bullets would allow hunters to continue their traditional way of hunting while preserving an uncontaminated food source for wintering eagles.

Wildlife preservation Bureau of Hokkaido are now working to prevent the eagle lead poisoning by,

1)Collecting deer carcasses from the hunting field.
2)Investigating and understanding eagle biology in the hunting field.
3)Educate hunters to use all-copper rifle bullets or shotgun slugs.
4)Asking the government to mandate hunters to use all-copper rifle
  bullets or shotgun slugs.
5)Eagle rescue by the veterinary treatments.

Wildlife preservation Bureau of Hokkaido is now raising funds to save eagles from lead poisoning.

For more details,Please contact Dr. Keisuke Saito . k_saito@marimo.or.jp

Thank you.

(Keisuke Saito D.V.M.)

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