Wild birds have frequently been found dead in their natural habitats, but little is known about what ecological stressors may impact health of wild populations. Here, we report the potentially harmful lead (Pb) levels in tissues along with necropsies on 69 individuals of cranes, raptors, and waterfowl found dead between 2000 and 2003 in Korea. In all samples diagnosed, trauma (n=22), severe emaciation (n=15), and infectious diseases (n=11) were identified. In the survey, injury with Pb shot or bullet fragments was associated with three of the deaths; one of three showed lesions suggestive of Pb poisoning in the tissues. Of 69 birds, 12 had >25 ppm dry wt. (equivalent to 8 ppm wet wt.) in liver or kidney, which is known to be a potentially lethal level of Pb in wild birds. Three individuals had hepatic Pb levels of 101.3 ppm (Whooper swan), 120.4 ppm (Great white-fronted goose), and 1,059 ppm (Mandarin duck), with evidence of Pb pellets in their gizzard. This study suggests that many birds examined may be suffering from excessive Pb exposure that may be of health concern with respect to a potential cause of their mortality. The need for additional research is heightened when considering that some migrants are classified as a globally protected species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

poisoning Birds Necropsy Lead Mortality

ecology visual impairment Anatidae Aves infectious disease Raptores raptor histology Gruidae Excessive Pb Pb poisoning Lead Poisoning animal tissue tissue level species differentiation liver level controlled study craneling Aix galericulata Cygnus cygnus Mortality factor humerus fracture bone level ducks and geese Animals brain concussion nonhuman bird Anser albifrons Health concerns Lead contamination Tissue kidney level pollution effect avian stomach carcass Poisoning cholera Bird Diseases Necropsy Wild birds autopsy rib fracture health impact Natural habitat weight reduction lead Liver Environmental Pollutants environmental exposure bleeding wild animal Article kidney injury cause of death Body Constitution environmental monitoring mortality species conservation Korea