Condors I
One of the main threats of the critically endangered California Condor is bullets. How is this possible for a bird that it is illegal to hunt? Condors are scavengers who eat carrion. If they decide to feast upon an animal that has been shot with a lead bullet, the lead enters their blood stream, killing them slowly. As of 2008 there are only 327 known C. condors, with up to half in captivity. This is a huge step from the 1987 population of just 22, who were all taken to the San Diego Zoo for breeding and species rehabilitation.
The fact that so much time, effort and care has been put into saving these, North America's largest land bird, solely for them to die by careless gunshot and unclaimed kill is despicable. It is a common practice among some hunters who use lead bullets to shoot, and not kill. Most aren't good enough to claim a head shot, or direct kill. They only injure the animal enough for it to die later. And yes folks, it dies of lead poisoning. This removes the carcass from almost any use outside of being mounted on same jack-ass' wall.
With the removal of lead bullets from the hunting scene, many animals will benefit (and no, not because there will be LESS hunters). This is because the protected species will be safe from this lead poisoning. Also, it is much more 'humane'.
I will post more later on the background of this impressive bird, and just how you can help.
The fact that so much time, effort and care has been put into saving these, North America's largest land bird, solely for them to die by careless gunshot and unclaimed kill is despicable. It is a common practice among some hunters who use lead bullets to shoot, and not kill. Most aren't good enough to claim a head shot, or direct kill. They only injure the animal enough for it to die later. And yes folks, it dies of lead poisoning. This removes the carcass from almost any use outside of being mounted on same jack-ass' wall.
With the removal of lead bullets from the hunting scene, many animals will benefit (and no, not because there will be LESS hunters). This is because the protected species will be safe from this lead poisoning. Also, it is much more 'humane'.
I will post more later on the background of this impressive bird, and just how you can help.