United Group Insurance

Avian center says lead poisoning killing eagles

News

March 26th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

ASHTON, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa avian rehabilitation facility says an injured bald eagle euthanized last week was suffering from lead poisoning — an affliction that kills many of the eagles it tries to treat. The Sioux City Journal reports that the euthanized eagle was found March 8 on the ground along Iowa Highway 60 near Ashton. It had been hit by a semitrailer and could not fly or walk.

Kay Neumann, director of Saving Our Avian Resources — or SOAR — in Manning, Iowa, says many of the birds the facility receives suffer from lead poisoning. That’s usually because they’ve eaten wild animals that have been shot with lead. She says 14 eagles were recently brought to the center with lead poisoning. Only one is still alive and being treated.