Lead poisoning in raptors most often results from which exposure?

• A. Eating copper pipes
• B. Eating lead shot
• C. Ingesting plastic
• D. Drinking muddy water

Answer: (B)

Lead poisoning in raptors happens most often when they ingest lead from ammunition in their prey. When raptors eat animals that were shot with lead bullets or contain lead shot, they swallow lead fragments that accumulate in their bodies and cause illness, affecting the nervous system, blood formation, and kidneys. This exposure route is the most common because hunting and wildlife feeding patterns frequently bring lead into a raptor’s diet. The other listed exposures—copper pipes, plastic, or muddy water—don’t typically introduce lead to birds in a way that causes poisoning, so they’re not the usual sources for this problem. Prevention focuses on using non-lead ammunition and ensuring carcasses aren’t contaminated with lead fragments, with treatment involving chelation if poisoning is suspected.