Don't forget to talk about the harm of shooting to health and the environment

[freshwest]

74. SWANS DYING OF LEAD POISONING IN WASHINGTON STATE AND BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

Dead swans laid out for necropsy. Photo by M. Jordan.


THE PROBLEM

In late December 1999, Trumpeter Swans began dying in large numbers from lead poisoning in north Whatcom County, Washington, and over the border in Sumas Valley, British Columbia, The deaths continued to increase over the next several years with a peak of nearly 400 dying in 2005. A similar, but much smaller die-off occurred in 1993 in this same area. It is unclear why 7 years passed before this poisoning reoccurred or why the problem became so much more severe during the past decade.

As of late April 2009, the total documented mortality since 1999 of about 2,300 swans included about 97% Trumpeter Swans and a few Tundra Swans. Most of the birds have been picked up dead or dying on the ponds that they use for night roosts in the U. S. and, to a lesser extent, in Canada. There is no way to estimate the number of additional dead birds that have escaped detection in the wintering grounds or that may have died as they tried to migrate north in the spring.

The swans die after swallowing lead shot pellets while feeding. One of the primary sources of lead shot is at Judson Lake, which straddles the border between Whatcom County, Washington and Sumas Prairie area, British Columbia. This lake was a substantial night roost for swans for many years. In the past, lead shot was deposited when it was legal to use it for waterfowl hunting and many decades ago was used for trap shooting. Studies have shown that portions of this lake still have substantial amounts of lead shot that is available for feeding swans to ingest...

The die-off has now occurred for 10 consecutive winters and swan distribution has changed. As the swans disperse into new wintering areas, the geographical area where they are picking up lead shot and subsequently dying has increased. Swans are now dying in Skagit, Snohomish and King counties, directly south of Whatcom County. During winter 2008-09, about 150 dead Trumpeters were picked up with lead poisoning in this larger geographical area; most of the deaths were in Whatcom and Skagit counties.


Volunteer picking up two very sick swans from icy Shadow Lake night roost. Photo by: Martha Jordan.

More at the link:

http://www.trumpeterswansociety.org/wswg/lead.htm

This is stupid and irresponsible, an example of people doing as they please and fuggitabout, as if there is a magic wand to eliminate toxins or someone else is going to clean up their toxic mess.

The solution has not worked, what is called 'hazing' or chasing them with cracker shot, since they have only gone to other areas to be poisoned there, and dependent on private and government funding. No responsiblity taken by those who left the lead.