Wildwoods Wildlife Rehabilitation brings awareness to wildlife lead poisoning

DULUTH, Minn.– The Executive Director at Wildwoods Wildlife Rehabilitation, is urging hunters and fishers beware of lead, after dealing with a pattern of poisoned animals, at their doorstep.

The Executive Director said this problem has been ongoing for years.

Last year, out of 33 eagles rescued, only ten of them were treatable.

We’re told lead poisoning affects gastrointestinal system, muscle mass, and neurological function, often leading to prolonged, painful deaths.

This happens from an animal unknowingly consuming lead bullets, or sinkers.

That being said, it’s a slow burn of a process for the animals, that otherwise appears functioning normally.

“So, what happens is that an otherwise healthy Eagle would be able to evade being hit by a car, but an eagle that has a slower response time and has these neurological deficiencies is not going to be able to avoid getting hit,” said Jessica LaBumbard, Executive Director at Wildwoods.

LaBumbard said there are a few things hunters and fishers can do to avoid this problem.

“I really believe that people want the best for nature. And I also believe that if people actually saw what these animals go through, that they would be more than happy to move to copper bullets to get rid of these lead sinkers,” said LaBumbard.

LaBumbard did inform FOX 21 about an exciting update regarding this issue.

We’re told that today, they were approved for a grant to purchase a brand-new lead analyzer.

Which we said, they will be a game changer to how they care for their animals.