Lead Shot Ingestion in Two Raptor Species from Donana, Spain

摘要

Dirunal raptors inhabiting wetland areas where waterfowl shooting is conducted have many opportunities to ingest lead (Pb)shot pellets when feeding on their prey. Exposure to Pb shot was studied in the Spanish imperial eagle(Aquila adalberti), an endangered species with a world population of about 150 breed- ing pairs, and in the red kite(Milvus milvus)from Donana (southwest Spain). Lead exposure was evaluated by the presence of Pb shot in the pellets of both species. Results obtained by this noninvasive method demonstrated Pb shot in 11.0/100 of Spanish imperial eagle and 5.0/100 of red kite pellets.