Cases of lead poisoning in golden eagles appear to be increasing. Poisoning is often caused by fragments of lead ammunition in game such as chamois, red deer and ibex. In the Alpine region dead individuals of these species provide the basic food resource for large raptors such as golden eagles and bearded vultures. Even small amounts of lead may weaken and kill raptors. Lead fragments find their way into the food chain when carcasses of shot animals or parts thereof are left in nature.

The relevance of lead ammunition and their secondary effects on large raptors in the Alpine region, and especially in Switzerland, is little understood. To increase our knowledge on the possibly detrimental effects of lead ammunition, a sample of golden eagles found dead will be examined.

The Swiss Ornithological Institute closely collaborates with gamekeepers and cantonal hunting administrations of various Alpine cantons. Organs of golden eagles found dead are delivered to the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Zurich for analysis. For now, the examination of about 20 golden eagles is planned.

At present, the Swiss Alps accommodate a vital and stable population of about 300 breeding pairs of golden eagle. However, losses of individuals through technical installations (e.g. casualties after collisions with transport cables and high-tension power lines) and losses of broods through human disturbances are ongoing. Therefore, additional losses through other causes of death need to be avoided. Moreover, lead poisoning is also a danger to other raptor species such as bearded vulture or red kite.

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Hunting administrations of the cantons of Graubünden, St. Gallen, Glarus, Bern and Wallis
Jacqueline Kupper, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich
Thomas Krämer, Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Abteilung Forensische Pharmakologie und Toxikologie an der Universität Zürich
Foundation for Bearded Vultures