Treating a Turkey Vulture for Lead Poisoning

On February 1st, our Raptor Hospital admitted a Turkey Vulture suffering from severe lead poisoning. Patient #26876 arrived lethargic, dehydrated, and unable to fly. Diagnostic tests, including radiographs and blood analysis, confirmed toxic levels of lead in its system.

Turkey Vultures play a crucial ecological role as nature’s clean-up crew, consuming carcasses and preventing the spread of disease. Unfortunately, Patient #26876 likely ingested lead fragments from a carcass shot with lead ammunition and left in the field. When game animals are hunted with lead bullets, tiny lead particles can scatter throughout the meat. Once consumed, stomach acids break down the lead, allowing it to enter the bloodstream and cause poisoning.

Cases like this are tragically common. Every year, our hospital treats dozens of scavenging raptors—including Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, Black Vultures, and Turkey Vultures—all suffering from lead toxicity.

Treatment and Recovery

To counteract lead poisoning, Patient #26876 underwent intensive medical care, including:

Fluid therapy – Supporting kidney and liver function to help flush toxins from the body.
Chelation therapy – A crucial treatment for heavy metal poisoning, using Dimercaptosuccinic Acid (DMSA), an oral chelating agent that binds to lead, allowing it to be safely excreted through urine.

Following chelation therapy, the vulture’s lead levels dropped significantly. The cost of chelation therapy and ongoing care contributed to the total $3,409.20 spent on saving Patient #26876. Once stable, he was moved to a large outdoor enclosure to rebuild his strength and prepare for release back into the wild.

How to Prevent Lead Poisoning in Wildlife

Despite their critical role in maintaining healthy ecosystems, vultures and other scavengers often suffer from preventable lead poisoning. The good news? Hunters can help protect wildlife by choosing safer alternatives.

Here’s how you can make a difference:

Choose non-lead ammunition – Many leading manufacturers offer high-quality lead-free alternatives.
Bury gut piles – If using lead ammo, burying remains can prevent scavengers from ingesting toxic fragments.
Spread the word – Encourage fellow hunters, outdoor enthusiasts, and suppliers to switch to non-lead ammunition.

By making small changes, we can ensure that ammunition stops harming wildlife once it stops moving.

For more information on non-lead hunting practices, visit Hunting with Non-Lead.