Poisoned by Lead: Predatory Birds Are Dying Out Because of Hunters

In addition to the well-known causes behind the destruction of species on Earth—such as large-scale deforestation, wildfires, ecosystem pollution, and sport hunting—there are also less visible causes that place even greater pressure on wildlife. Causes that can lead to the extinction of entire species! And virtually no one knows about these consequences.   

We know, for example, that birds are dying out on a massive scale throughout the world. Right now, reports of mass bird deaths are coming in from every corner of Russia, with the ground literally covered in their bodies. We know that birds have lost their offspring in wildfires and have lost their natural habitats! We also know that food supplies are becoming scarce and that many birds will die of starvation during freezing winters. 

But there is also a hidden factor behind the mass death of birds—one that is rarely discussed: species are disappearing because of glass buildings. According to scientifically established data, as many as 1 BILLION BIRDS die in the United States alone every year after colliding with glass. These are real figures produced by leading scientists—figures that have also been confirmed by the authorities themselves! 

Just think about that number. Scientists say that the populations of many species decline by as much as 5% every year. This means that within 20 years, some species may disappear completely—and that is solely because of collisions with glass buildings. 

Today, I want to tell you about another hidden factor behind the mass disappearance of birds. This time, we will be talking specifically about large birds of prey, which also desperately need protection. 

In a recent University of Cambridge study, scientists demonstrated that populations of birds of prey across Europe are declining because of lead poisoning from firearm ammunition. This decline is directly linked to sport hunting—the very activity that bureaucratic officials in Russia so actively defend, publicly claiming that sport hunting is “biologically justified” and that “millions of people across the country have the right to pursue their favourite pastime.” 

Well then. Reap the consequences of your “favourite pastime.” Scientists have demonstrated that the populations of many birds of prey are declining rapidly. Birds such as eagles and kites feed on the carcasses of animals shot by hunters. They also prey upon wounded animals that have been hit by gunfire but managed to escape. By consuming dead animals, birds of prey provide essential ECOSYSTEM SANITATION SERVICES in the wild. These are vital processes in the functioning of healthy ecosystems. 

When birds of prey consume animals that hunters have killed or wounded with firearm ammunition, they receive a lethal dose of toxic lead. Scientists say that these birds are condemned to a slow and extremely painful death! Moreover, researchers have demonstrated that even small doses of lead can alter birds’ behaviour and physiology. 

Researchers from the University of Cambridge used data on lead levels from more than 3,000 birds of prey found in different countries and calculated the extent to which lead poisoning has affected raptor populations across Europe. 

Scientists established that, among just ten species of birds of prey, poisoning from lead ammunition has resulted in the agonising deaths of more than 55,000 adult birds in recent years. This is the documented figure. In reality, specialists report that millions of birds die from lead poisoning worldwide every year. Eagle populations have suffered the greatest impact. In the United Kingdom, for example, lead poisoning has caused critical declines in the populations of common buzzards and red kites. Across Europe, the population of white-tailed eagles is 14% smaller solely because of lethal lead exposure—not including the other factors contributing to the species’ decline. 

Golden eagle and griffon vulture populations have been reduced by 13% and 12% respectively, while the northern goshawk population has declined by 6%. The list continues, with other populations of birds of prey also suffering serious losses. 

While “pursuing their favourite pastime” and killing animals for entertainment, hunters use lead ammunition in the form of shotgun pellets. In the United Kingdom, for example, more than 99% of all pheasants killed were shot with toxic lead ammunition. 

“The declines in raptor populations suggested by our study deserve decisive action, including legislative action, just as they would if they were caused by habitat destruction or deliberate poisoning,” said lead author Professor Rhys Green, a conservation scientist at the University of Cambridge and the RSPB.

To date, two countries—Denmark and the Netherlands—have already banned lead shot following public pressure. Other countries continue to use toxic lead to shoot wild animals. Russia is among them. It is also known that the European Union and the United Kingdom have considered banning lead ammunition, because research has long demonstrated the harmful effects of lead on people who consume wild game meat. Lead causes dangerous and potentially fatal diseases and increases the risk of cancer. 

However, the hunting community is fiercely opposed to a ban on lead and demands that governments refrain from interfering with its members’ “favourite pastime.” 

Meanwhile, the mass disappearance of birds of prey is being documented in an increasing number of countries, and their populations are declining rapidly. After killing animals in the forest, hunters butcher the carcasses at the site, gut the animals, and take away only the parts they want. Everything else is left on the ground! Birds receive lethal doses of lead when they scavenge the remains of dead animals. This may involve an entire carcass that hunters have abandoned or lost, or discarded intestines and other internal organs. 

Many bird species feed on carrion. This is a natural biological process! But many species that hunt live prey and do not normally feed on dead animals are also killed by lead. Have you ever seen hunters shooting ducks? The ducks take flight, and the hunters begin firing at everything that moves! Many ducks and other animals are wounded but remain alive. Later, they become prey for birds of prey. 

Radiographic studies of wild ducks in the United Kingdom show that approximately one-quarter of all living birds have suffered gunshot wounds to the body. Once again: APPROXIMATELY ONE-QUARTER OF ALL LIVING BIRDS HAVE SUFFERED GUNSHOT WOUNDS TO THE BODY! These wounded birds then inevitably become prey for birds of prey. 

“It has taken researchers from across Europe decades to collect enough data to allow us to calculate the impact of lead poisoning on raptor populations. We can now see just how substantial the impact can be on the populations of some of our most charismatic and vulnerable species—species protected under EU regulations and the United Kingdom’s Wildlife and Countryside Act,” said study co-author Professor Debbie Pain of the University of Cambridge.

The scale of this scientific study is truly enormous. The researchers exposed a HIDDEN ECOCIDE that has been destroying entire populations of birds of prey for decades. And the study did not even take into account other animals that also consume prey or carrion contaminated with lead. In other words, the research examined only the impact on birds of prey, without including other inhabitants of the natural world. 

In their study, the scientists used population modelling, which enabled them to calculate how large Europe’s raptor populations would have been without the fatal effects of lead poisoning. 

The researchers used data collected since the 1970s from the livers of thousands of dead birds of prey across 13 countries. They then compared these findings with the density of hunters in particular landscapes. Areas with the highest densities of hunters contained more lead-poisoned birds of prey! These data made it possible to estimate lead poisoning in areas where no studies of birds’ livers had been conducted. The approximate decline in populations could be calculated on the basis of “hunter density.” 

I have examined a range of scientific data. Between 18,000 and 21,000 tonnes of lead shot are discharged during hunting in European countries every year, equivalent to approximately 600–700 million cartridges. Scientists have calculated that total annual lead emissions, including those from sport shooting grounds and fishing, amount to approximately 44,000 tonnes of Pb per year.

According to an ECHA assessment, at least 135 million birds are exposed to the primary risk of ingesting lead shot every year, while another 14 million face secondary exposure through the consumption of carrion containing bullet fragments.

In Europe, acute lead-related mortality among waterbirds is estimated at approximately 700,000 individuals per year and may reach as many as one million EVERY YEAR! Approximately three million more birds suffer sublethal poisoning.

In North America, chronic lead poisoning has been detected in 46% OF ALL BALD EAGLES and 47% OF GOLDEN EAGLES. In a study of California condors, scientists examined 151 dead birds and determined that 49% had unquestionably died from lead poisoning.

Just think about that (!!).

Scientists have also studied lead-related deaths among fish-eating waterbirds. Fish swallow lead sinkers and fishing lures, and are then eaten by birds. Researchers identified this factor alone as the primary cause of death in 48% of adult birds in a study conducted in New Hampshire, United States.

Here in Russia, the number of hunters has already exceeded five million. This figure has grown especially rapidly in recent years as the authorities have actively promoted the development of “hunting tourism” in the regions. It is possible to estimate the density of hunters in particular areas and use those figures to calculate the decline of birds of prey caused by lead poisoning.

Unfortunately, no comparable studies are being conducted in Russia. Yet birds of prey are disappearing at the same rate as they are in Europe. This is a hidden ecocide, while officials loudly insist that “millions of people have the right to pursue their favourite pastime.” In reality, vast sums of money are simply being made through the exploitation of wildlife—the last remaining inhabitants of the Russian Taiga. 

© PAVEL PASHKOV