Environmental contaminants in California condors
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Abstract
Five wild California condors (Gymnogyps californianus) that died in 1980-86 were necropsied and tissues were analyzed for environmental contaminants. Three died of lead (Pb) poisoning, 1 presumably of cyanide (CN) poisoning, and 1 nestling of handling shock. Organochlorine concentrations were low in 4 condors that were analyzed for these contaminants. Blood samples from 14 wild and 14 captive condors were analyzed primarily for Pb. Five of 14 wild condors sampled had elevated (> 0.70 ppm) concentrations of Pb in blood whereas Pb concentrations in all captive condors were low. Lead levels in individual birds often fluctuated over time. Lead exposure, especially poisoning, was a major factor affecting the wild California condor population during 1982-86. The probable source of Pb was bullet fragments in carrion on which condors were feeding.
Suggested Citation
Wiemeyer, S.N., Scott, J.M., Anderson, M.P., Bloom, P., and Stafford, C.J., 1988, Environmental contaminants in California condors: Journal of Wildlife Management, v. 52, no. 2, p. 238-247, https://doi.org/10.2307/3801228.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Environmental contaminants in California condors |
| Series title | Journal of Wildlife Management |
| DOI | 10.2307/3801228 |
| Volume | 52 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Year Published | 1988 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Wiley |
| Contributing office(s) | Patuxent Wildlife Research Center |
| Description | 10 p. |
| First page | 238 |
| Last page | 247 |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |