COBLESKILL — He has a fractured wing and lead toxicity! Bill Combs, Jr. shared this incredible photo with us.
His prognosis is good but this next week will give us a better prognosis on his recovery.
Eagle lead poisoning is a leading cause of mortality in raptors. It primarily occurs when eagles scavenge carcasses or gut piles left by hunters, accidentally ingesting microscopic fragments from lead ammunition. Even a fragment the size of a grain of rice is lethal to an adult Eagle.
New York State Department Environmental Conservation does have a rebate program for hunters who buy non-lead ammunition.
https://huntersforconservation.org/new-york/
You can also follow the Janet Swanson Wildlife
Health Center and donate to them to help offset the cost of his surgery and recovery.
https://www.vet.cornell.edu/hospitals/janet-l-swanson-wildlife-hospital