Nearly half of bald and golden eagles in the US have chronic lead poisoning, a study found.
Of that sample, 47% of bald eagles and 46% of golden eagles had signs of chronic lead poisoning.
The researchers estimated that lead poisoning slowed the annual population growth of bald eagles by 4% and golden eagles by 1%.
Neither golden eagles nor bald eagles are endangered species.
Up to 33% of bald eagles and up to 35% of golden eagles in the study showed signs of acute lead poisoning.
Persons:
—, Todd Katzner, Mike McTee What's, Katzner, hadn't, Vince Slabe, Slabe
Organizations:
Eagles, Service, Geological Survey, Raptor Center, University of Minnesota, Conservation Science, California Department of Fish, New York Department of Environmental, Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
Locations:
Alaska, Florida, Maine, California, New York Department of Environmental Conservation