Condor shooting was isolated act of irresponsibility
Though details are vague about a condor’s treatment for gunshot
pellets and lead found in its blood, whoever broke the law and
committed this irresponsible act does not represent the upstanding
members of the San Benito County hunting community.
Condor shooting was isolated act of irresponsibility
Though details are vague about a condor’s treatment for gunshot pellets and lead found in its blood, whoever broke the law and committed this irresponsible act does not represent the upstanding members of the San Benito County hunting community.
Pinnacles biologists captured condor No. 286 earlier this month after noticing it had appeared weaker than usual and how adolescent birds had been pushing him around.
Tests revealed lead in its blood, which can be fatal in high doses, and L.A. Zoo veterinarians later found gunshot pellet fragments inside the condor.
It’s unfortunate someone apparently shot the endangered bird, part of the carefully monitored flock at Pinnacles National Monument.
Whether citizens agree or disagree with regulations surrounding efforts to revive the condor population here, responsible gun owners understand they must follow the laws in place, especially one so elemental, so black and white, as the type of bullets used in a county so vast as ours.
Although further details remain unclear as vets continue lead treatment, we do know this was a careless act by a resident who either severely lacks hunting knowledge or holds little regard for conservation efforts – neither of which are traits of traditional San Benito County hunters.
The overwhelming majority of the hunters here do act responsibly, as confirmed by a recent report in The Weekend Pinnacle noting a 99 percent compliance rate with the 2008 non-lead bullet regulations in the condor range. The figure represented the total number of contacts made by wardens throughout the region, with only 1 percent of hunters found out of compliance.
There is wide discontent toward the relatively new law because many hunters contend that copper bullets carry potential to merely wound animals, while environmentalists argue the law is necessary toward the species’ revival.
But this clearly was a case of one irresponsible person committing a flagrant foul. Blame should fall there alone, while it serves as a reminder of this effort’s fragility and its vulnerability to carelessness.
