Bird Studies Implicate Lead Bullet Residues as a Possible Threat to Human Health

(Washington, D.C. – April 30, 2008) Studies of several bird species, including the endangered California Condor, have provided extensive documentation of the health hazard posed to birds that ingest lead ammunition residues in the remains of gun-killed animals. Now, new studies suggest that humans who eat game shot with lead ammunition may also be at risk. A conference to further explore these links,“Ingestion of Spent Lead Ammunition: Implications for Wildlife and Humans,” sponsored by The Peregrine Fund, will be held May 12-15, 2008, at Boise State University.

“We’ve been studying the effects of condor lead ingestion for years,” said Rick Watson, Vice President of The Peregrine Fund, a conservation organization that leads the California Condor recovery program in Arizona. “Condors are sickened and some die from eating the remains of shot animals. The possibility that other species, including humans, are also at risk prompted us to organize this conference.”

Recently published research suggests that even very low levels of lead exposure in children can cause learning disabilities, and in adults may increase risk of Alzheimer’s disease and death from stroke or heart attack. Lead is also associated with impaired visual and motor function, growth abnormality, neurological and organ damage, hearing loss, hypertension and reproductive complications. The degree of lead exposure associated with many of these problems is much lower than previously believed.

North Dakota state health officials recently ordered food banks to discard donated venison because it can contain lead fragments. Dr. William Cornatzer, a Bismarck physician and member of The Peregrine Fund board of directors, made the discovery after learning about the problem in a Peregrine Fund report. Cornatzer collected about 100 one-pound packages of ground venison from food pantries in December and ran CT scans on the meat. The North Dakota Health Department confirmed the presence of lead in its own tests. Cornatzer plans to present his findings at the conference.

“The lead studies have once again shown us that we ignore the plight of birds at our own peril,” said Dr. Michael Fry, Director of Conservation Advocacy at American Bird Conservancy. “Condors, eagles, ravens, and other wildlife have given us advanced warning of a problem that we are now learning may also have human health consequences.”

The Peregrine Fund will present results of its own recent investigation on lead in hunter-killed animals at the conference. The group is studying the amount of lead in venison from deer shot with standard lead bullets, which fragment into hundreds of tiny pieces upon impact. Their previously published research has shown that these fragments scatter widely into the meat along the bullet’s path of travel. Preliminary results of The Peregrine Fund’s current study will be given at the conference on May 13. The final report will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

A recent study found elevated levels of lead in Common Ravens during the hunting season for deer and elk in the Yellowstone region. Scavengers, such as ravens and raptors, eat offal piles left by hunters, or animals that were shot and not recovered. These remains contain lead bullet fragments. Derek Craighead and co-authors of the raven study, are expected to present additional data at the conference showing that lead is also reaching elevated levels in Golden Eagles, Bald Eagles, and other scavengers during the hunting season.

“Unfortunately, the study of ravens in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem indicates that poisonings of birds, both scavengers and raptors, by lead bullets is a widespread problem,” said Dr. Fry.

Recently, there has been a great deal of attention on the problem of lead bullets due to the poisonings of endangered California Condors, highlighted by several independent studies that will be presented at the conference. The use of lead bullets has been banned in the California range of the condor, and work continues to protect the species in Arizona through voluntary use by hunters of non-lead ammunition.

“When informed of the severity of the problem for condors, most hunters in Arizona have chosen to use non-lead ammunition to benefit wildlife,” added Watson, “and once the results from the conference become widely understood, hunters may also choose non-lead ammunition to benefit themselves and their families.”

Wyoming Conservation Projects Draw Elk Foundation Grants

MISSOULA, Mont.—The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has announced its first-round grants for 2008 conservation projects in Wyoming.

Sixteen conservation grants totaling $215,000 have been awarded. Another $103,663 is available for allocation in second-round grants to be decided in July.

First-round grants will affect Albany, Carbon, Converse, Fremont, Lincoln, Natrona, Park, Sheridan, Sublette, Sweetwater and Weston counties.

“This is all about ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat in Wyoming,” said David Allen, Elk Foundation president and CEO. “Grants are based on revenues from Elk Foundation fundraising banquets in Wyoming, as well as worthy project proposals.”

Elk Foundation grants will help fund the following Wyoming conservation projects, listed by county:

Albany County—Restore vegetation and rehabilitate up to 292 miles of unauthorized trails to decrease erosion and benefit elk and other wildlife in Medicine Bow National Forest and Thunder Basin National Grassland.

Carbon County—Construct special fencing at Dexter Spring to improve habitat for elk while still providing water for livestock on BLM lands; enhance spring water availability for wildlife and people at Continental Divide National Scenic Trail on BLM lands; prescribe burn 700 acres to improve forage in Medicine Bow National Forest; treat encroaching conifer and restore aspen to improve habitat for wildlife and fish in Medicine Bow National Forest.

Converse County—Treat cheatgrass and prickly pear cactus to restore sagebrush habitat for elk and other wildlife in Thunder Basin National Grassland (also affects Weston County).

Fremont County—Provide funding for grazing-allotment permit holder to voluntarily waive allotment without preference, reducing livestock depredation and increasing forage for elk on 34,500 acres in the Shoshone National Forest.

Lincoln County—Apply biological control mechanisms to reduce weeds in elk habitat in Bridger-Teton National Forest; permanently protect 3,100 acres of elk habitat via conservation easement expected for completion in 2008.

Natrona County—Prescribe burn and mechanically treat habitat to restore aspen and improve forage for elk in the Bates Creek Watershed area.

Park County—Research project to study elk migration routes and timing, and habitat use by elk and wolves, in Absaroka Mountains.

Sheridan County—Thin encroaching ponderosa pine to restore elk winter range on east slope of the Big Horn Mountains.

Sublette County—Prescribe burn, restore aspen and enhance elk habitat on 1,154 acres in Bridger-Teton National Forest; permanently protect 4,450 acres of elk habitat via conservation easement expected for completion in 2008; treat encroaching conifer and restore aspen to improve elk habitat on 1,530 acres of BLM lands.

Sweetwater County—Permanently protect 1,400 acres of elk habitat via conservation easement expected for completion in 2008.

Since 1984, the Elk Foundation and its partners have completed more than 340 conservation projects in Wyoming with a value of nearly $27 million. Partners for 2008 projects in Wyoming include Bureau of Land Management, University of Wyoming, U.S. Forest Service, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, other agencies, corporations, landowners and organizations.

Ducks Unlimited reminds Congress to protect waterfowl conservation

WASHINGTON – April 14, 2008 – After months of behind-closed-door debate and negotiation, the U.S. House of Representatives has named its members chosen to take part in the House-Senate conference to negotiate a final version of the Farm Bill with the U.S. Senate. The latest extension of the 2002 Farm Bill expires on April 18, so the conferees must agree to a final bill and pass it through the full House and Senate or extend the previous bill again.

“We are glad to see Congress stepping forward on this bill – we hope that they will show similar initiative in ensuring that programs like the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) and Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) remain as viable options for farmers and ranchers to conserve their land,” said Don Young, Executive Vice President for Ducks Unlimited. “Sportsmen contribute more than $76 billion to the economy every year, and protecting habitat through agriculture conservation is absolutely critical to ensuring that future generations of outdoor enthusiasts have healthy habitats and clean waters to enjoy the outdoors.”

More than half of the landmass in the United States is used for agricultural production, so it is appropriate that the Farm Bill represents the largest single federal investment to conservation on private land. These programs provide tremendous societal and economic benefits to all Americans in the form of improved soil and water quality, healthy fish and wildlife habitat, enhanced forest/wildlife benefits, rural economic stimuli, and quality hunting and fishing opportunities. Without a Farm Bill Conservation Title, there would be:

* 170,000 additional miles of unprotected streams
* 48 million more tons of carbon dioxide in our air
* 450 million tons more topsoil disappearing every year
* 2.2 million fewer ducks
* 13.5 million fewer pheasants
* 40 million fewer acres of wildlife habitat.

“As the debate moves forward, Ducks Unlimited’s one million members and supporters want to make sure those statistics do not become a reality,” said Young. “As a nation, we cannot afford to see the programs cut or scaled back.”

Also in the current Farm Bill debate, Congress has the opportunity to protect millions of acres of native prairie through the “Sodsaver” provision. America’s native prairies are one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world. In addition to adding protection to native prairie, the provision that was adopted in the Senate’s version of the Farm Bill will save American taxpayers $119 million dollars.

The 2002 Farm Bill was set to expire in September 2007. It has been extended twice by Congress since then, although no additional acres were added to conservation programs, such as the Grasslands Reserve Program, that had already reached enrollment caps.

With more than a million supporters, Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest and most effective wetland and waterfowl conservation organization with more than 12 million acres conserved. The United States alone has lost more than half of its original wetlands − nature’s most productive ecosystem − and continues to lose more than 80,000 wetland acres each year.

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Voices Support for Wolf Management

MISSOULA, Mont.—The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service this week hopes to remove wolves from endangered species lists in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. But with anti-hunting emotions and lawsuits threatening to forestall sound conservation science, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is reaffirming its longstanding support of hunter-based wolf management.

Wolf populations are now well above federal recovery goals and increasing.

The time has come to manage wolves like other game animals, says Elk Foundation President David Allen.

“Long before anyone dreamed of an Endangered Species Act, hunters were restoring and managing elk, mule deer, whitetails, wild turkeys, black bears, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, mountain goats and a host of other wildlife. In fact, it was hunter-funded big-game populations that made wolf recovery possible. You’d think the people who argued longest and loudest to bring wolves back would be slapping backs and saying thanks. Instead, they’re filing lawsuits,” said Allen.

Ed Bangs, wolf recovery coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said, “We strongly support hunting wolves. Look at the success we’ve had with hunting mountain lions and maintaining strong lion populations. There is no reason wolf management cannot be just as successful.”

Regulated hunting has never reduced any species to threatened levels. It is, however, the premier tool for balancing game populations within carrying capacities of habitat as well as public tolerances. Allen said wolves in certain areas have exceeded those tolerances.

Allen urged Elk Foundation members to support hunter-based wolf management controlled by respective state wildlife agencies, saying, “I hope all of our members will voice their support for de-listing wolves as prescribed by US. Fish and Wildlife Service, and continue to show how hunters lead the wildlife conservation process.”

Oregon Conservation Grants Announced by Elk Foundation

MISSOULA, Mont.—The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, an international conservation organization with a focus on habitat protection and enhancement, has announced its 2008 project grants for Oregon.

Grants will affect Baker, Benton, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Grant, Harney, Jefferson, Josephine, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Umatilla, Union and Wallowa counties. An additional project has statewide interest.

“This is all about ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat in Oregon,” said David Allen, Elk Foundation president and CEO. “Grants are based on revenues from Elk Foundation fundraising banquets in Oregon, as well as worthy project proposals.”

For 2008, 25 grants totaling $208,750 will help fund the following Oregon conservation projects, listed by county:

Baker County—Treat noxious weeds on 400 acres to decrease competition with native grasses and improve elk habitat in Wallowa-Whitman National Forest; remove tree and shrub encroachment and prescribed burn 3,000 acres on BLM lands and other critical elk habitat.

Crook County—Thin 275 acres, construct exclosure fencing to protect riparian areas, and treat 520 acres of noxious weeds to enhance elk habitat on Ochoco National Forest; prescribed burn 700 acres, thin 350 acres of encroaching juniper, seed 40 acres and plant riparian shrubs on elk summer range; prescribed burn 250 acres, thin encroaching juniper on 250 acres and seed 20 acres to improve forage conditions on critical elk habitat.

Curry County—Prescribed burn 48 acres, seed 24 acres and thin trees on 29 acres to improve habitat for elk in Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest.

Deschutes County—Reconstruct two guzzlers to enhance elk habitat in Deschutes National Forest.

Douglas County—Prescribed burn up to 100 acres to improve forage for elk in Coos Bay District; mow shrubs on 179 acres, seed 197 acres and create 16 acres of forage openings in Umpqua National Forest.

Grant County—Prescribed burn 400 acres to improve forage for elk in Malheur National Forest; prescribed burn 3,000 acres and construct exclosure fencing for aspens to enhance elk summer range in Malheur National Forest.

Harney County—Repair two guzzlers and treat 100 acres of noxious weeds to enhance habitat for elk in Umatilla National Forest; expand guzzlers on BLM lands.

Jefferson County—Thin trees on 1,000 acres to enhance elk habitat in Ochoco National Forest.

Josephine County—Install interpretive signage and prescribed burn 225 acres to improve elk habitat in Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest.

Lane County—Treat 290 acres of vegetation to enhance habitat for elk in Siuslaw National Forest (also affects Lincoln and Benton counties); thin trees and brush on 95 acres and treat five acres of noxious weeds in Willamette National Forest.

Linn County—Thin vegetation on 400 acres and seed six miles of abandoned skid trails to improve forage for elk in Willamette National Forest; thin 100 acres of lodgepole pine, transplant aspen and construct exclosure fencing to restore habitat in Willamette National Forest.

Statewide (all counties)—Multi-state research project to study elk calf survival and mortality related to climate, wolves and habitat quality.

Umatilla County—Treat noxious weeds on 3,340 acres of elk winter range in Umatilla National Forest (also affects Grant and Morrow counties);

Union County—Thin trees on 200 acres and treat noxious weeds on 100 acres to enhance elk habitat on winter range near Ladd Marsh; protect springs, construct exclosure fencing for aspen, fertilize 20 acres and treat noxious weeds on 200 acres of elk habitat; treat 200 acres of noxious weeds near Ladd Marsh.

Wallowa County—Research project to study elk production related to nutrition and habitat at Sled Springs Management Demonstration Area; treat 1,072 acres of noxious weeds on BLM lands (also affects Union County).

Since 1984, the Elk Foundation and its partners have completed more than 550 conservation projects in Oregon with a value of more than $31 million. Partners for 2008 projects in Oregon include Boise Cascade, Boy Scouts, Bureau of Land Management, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Hunters Association, Oregon State University, University of Montana, U.S. Forest Service, other agencies, corporations, landowners, organizations and tribes.