Oklahoma Bald Eagle Battling Lead Poisoning Dies

The bald eagle battling lead poisoning has died, Wild Heart Ranch reports. 

Jay was found in a field near death with lead poisoning in Jay, Oklahoma on January 21st. Her blood work indicated she had lead poisoning, according to ranch director Annette King.

Though a Tulsa Zoo veterinary team and the Wild Heart Ranch crew worked to save her, she died over the weekend.

"She was put to rest so she wouldn't have to face the agonizing death that was certainly ahead of her," King said. "Eagles are highly sensitive to lead. It only takes one part per million to kill an eagle."

1/22/2016 Related Story: Bald Eagle Battles Lead Poisoning, Public Can Help Limit Exposure

Lead is introduced to the wild by choice, King said in a Facebook post. Though it's illegal to use lead shot around a body of water, the ammo is commonly used to hunt deer and other animals whose carcasses are often left in the wild.

Steel shot is a safer alternative for wildlife who scavenge the carcasses.

Fishing sinkers that are eaten by fish and then eagles also poison the birds. 

King said if even one sportsman is affected by Jay's death to find safer alternatives to lead gunshot and sinkers, the bird's death will have meaning.

"What we would like to ask is that hunters and fisherman look for lead-free alternatives to lead sinkers and lead gunshot,” said King. “If we do that then we can eliminate the problem."

She realizes non-lead based ammunition can get expensive. An alternative would be to use a handheld metal detector and remove the lead ammunition from a kill before leaving it behind.

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