Guest Column: Want to Support Montana Raptors? Get the Lead Out
Photo: Montana Raptor Conservation Center bald eagle release
By Keaton Thomas, Montana Raptor Conservation Center Director of Education, and Vincent Slabe, Ph.D., MRCC Board of Directors
Bozeman Daily Chronicle
Majestic birds of prey can be seen across the big skies of Montana throughout the year. As apex predators at the top of the food chain, raptors are essential for maintaining the health and balance of ecosystems.
Healthy raptor populations are a sign of a thriving and diverse ecosystem.
The Montana Raptor Conservation Center (MRCC) intakes approximately 200 raptors annually across an 88,000-square-mile area, representing around 20 different species. Approximately 99% of our injury calls are due to human-caused issues, including lead poisoning, windshield collisions, and shootings.
Unfortunately, some raptor species such as bald and golden eagles are susceptible to a preventable threat: the accidental ingestion of lead fragments while feeding on gut piles during hunting seasons.
When a raptor ingests lead, it can lead to severe neurological damage, hinder their hunting abilities, and can ultimately result in a painful death. At MRCC, we promote the use of non-lead ammunition to the hunting community by raising awareness about the risks associated with lead poisoning.
At MRCC, we conduct blood tests on the raptors that arrive at our rehabilitation facility. Of the raptors we test, 52% show detectable levels of lead in their systems. Additionally, tests on first-year eagles have also revealed elevated lead levels in their blood. A lead fragment the size of a grain of rice can cause lethal lead exposure in raptors and smaller fragments can result in sublethal exposure leading to potential issues with all systems of the body.
At our center, we provide comprehensive care for lead-poisoned raptors, including chelation therapy to significantly lower the lead burden in their bodies prior to releasing them back into the wild. This process strains the birds’ system and is also quite stressful.
However, it is better than the alternative as many of the lead-poisoned raptors we admit would most likely die without this treatment. Dedicated staff and volunteers closely monitor the recovery of each bird, offering a blend of medical treatment, nutritious meals, and physical therapy to support their healing.
MRCC also offers educational programs in area schools and at local events to promote a deeper understanding and respect for these incredible birds. We house 12 Education Raptor Ambassadors whose job is to educate the public on the importance of their species to the environment. As an important part of our educational programming, we encourage hunters of all ages to act as environmental stewards and switch to lead-free ammunition.
Through these collective efforts, we aim not only to rehabilitate individual birds but also to contribute to the overall conservation of raptor species. By raising awareness and implementing effective solutions, we hope to create a safer, healthier environment for these amazing creatures to thrive for generations to come.
How can you support your local raptor population?
We encourage hunters of all ages to act as environmental stewards and switch to lead-free ammunition.
If you see an injured raptor, please call the MRCC Raptor Hotline at 406-585-1211.
Attend one of our many educational opportunities to learn more about these amazing birds.
Learn more about our work in a documentary featuring MRCC about lead poisoning and on Montana Raptor Conservation Center’s website.