Three Eagles.  Three weeks.  One problem.

Lead poisoning.

The first, a young bald eagle, was transferred from a rehabilitation facility in Wyoming.  The second, an adult golden eagle, was already showing neurological signs of the poisoning.  The third, an adult bald eagle, was initially found wrapped in a wire fence.  Why was she on the ground?  Her weakness was very likely due to her high lead levels.

When a prey animal is shot with lead shot and the bird consumes it, the bird is then consuming that lead as well.  Combine this with eating many animals throughout their life, and some unlucky birds can have their lead levels skyrocket.  We average 4-6 cases each year, although they seem to come “in spurts”.  (Like 3 eagles at once!).

Luckily for these birds, the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program works hard to help bring their lead levels back down.  An in-house lead tester that was donated by a generous supporter allows for a rapid diagnosis, and advanced medical treatments for chelating (removing) the lead from their systems gives these birds a fighting chance. Without proper treatment, the birds have a poor chance for survival, but RMRP has developed a regimen of testing, medicine, and supportive care to give the birds the best possible odds for a second chance in the wild.