Wildlife advocates file lawsuit for condors against state
agencies
The Center for Biological Diversity has joined with a coalition
of hunters, Native Americans and health advocates to file a lawsuit
that could ban lead ammunition in regions frequented by California
Condors. The lawsuit has been filed against the California Fish and
Game Commission and the Department of Fish and Game.
Wildlife advocates file lawsuit for condors
Pinnacle Staff Report
The Center for Biological Diversity has joined with a coalition of hunters, Native Americans and health advocates to file a lawsuit that could ban lead ammunition in regions frequented by California Condors. The lawsuit has been filed against the California Fish and Game Commission and the Department of Fish and Game.
Lead ammunition is popular among hunters who shoot small prey such as squirrels, but can cause problems for other animals, including the California condor. They are an endangered species with only 183 of the birds living in the wild. More than 60 condors live in California, some in San Benito and Monterey Counties.
The Center for Biological Diversity launched a “Get the Lead Out” campaign in 2005 when it was discovered that remnants of lead ammo had poisoned local condors. The ammunition is also a threat to Bald and Golden Eagles. The birds are exposed to lead when they ate the remains of animals cleaned by hunters or killed by hunters. Studies show that microscopic lead particles are widespread throughout game shot with lead ammunition.
A 2003 study by the California Department of Fish and Game, estimated that 30,000 lead-contaminated carcasses are left in condor range annually.
Some hunters support the lawsuit, including plaintiff Anthony Prieto.
“The safety of our families and healthy wildlife are important to hunters across California,” Prieto said. “There’s a simple solution that lets hunters hunt while protecting condors, eagles and other wildlife. It’s lead-free ammo. I know from experience these bullets are safe and ballistically outperform bullets made from lead.”
Ranchers and hunters who prefer lead ammunition have said it is hard to find other ammunition for smaller firearms, such as .22 caliber, that is not made of lead.
The risk with lead ammunition is not just for the animals, but also for humans.
“People eating meat from animals taken with lead ammunition often have unhealthy lead levels in their own bodies,” said Jonathan Parfrey, executive director of Physicians for Social Responsibility.
Recently the California Fish and Game Commission indicated it might consider regulating lead ammunition in condor country, but the progress has not been quick enough for wildlife advocates.
“It’s been two years since we petitioned the commission for urgent action, and the poisoning continues,” said James Birkelund, an attorney for the National Resources Defense Council, a nonprofit focused on public health and the environment.
“The evidence is conclusive – lead poisoning from ammunition is the single greatest obstacle to the recovery of wild California condors,” said Jeff Miller, of the Center for Biological Diversity. “If we want condors to survive, we must stop poisoning their food supply.”
For more information about condors, visit www.savethecondors.org.
