Lead Poisoning Is Killing Rare US Condors

California condors are reportedly dying from lead poisoning contracted as they scavenge on bullet-ridden carrion in the wilderness, but some groups are offering novel ideas to help eliminate the problem. 

According to BBC News, seven wild Californian condors from a population of 80 in the Grand Canyon area have died since December, and conservationists are saying the fragments from lead ammunition are taking the lives of one of America's rarest birds.

Three of the deaths have definitely been linked to the birds ingesting lead from bullets in the carcasses in their prey, according to BBC.

Though it's one of the biggest birds in America's skies, the California condor is considered critically endangered, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Some groups are working proactively to create novel solutions to save the endangered birds. One group in Northern California reportedly gave out free leadless bullets to hunters and ranchers in Monterey and San Benito Counties to keep the engendered birds from chowing down on lead-riddled carcasses.

"We've spent 15 years trying to bring the California condor back from the brink of extinction," said Kelly Sorenson, executive director of the Ventana Wildlife Society, in an interview with Monterey County Weekly. "We are so convinced that lead from spent ammunition is the number-one problem, we wanted to address it head-on in a more collaborative way."

Though it met some resistance, the program was reportedly a success.

"Some people are unwilling to switch because they're mad, or they heard some erroneous information," Sorenson said. "We just want non-lead ammunition to be used. It's nothing against hunting or ranching, none of that. We just want condors to survive."

Arizona Game and Fish Department also distributes copper ammunition free to hunters, but some still use lead.

"It is critical that we take mandatory actions to remove it from ammunition and require less toxic alternatives, said Sandy Bahr from the Sierra Club in the BBC report.

"Requiring non lead ammunition for hunting on public land would be an important step in limiting lead exposure for condors and other wildlife," she added.