For Immediate UseContact: Garrison Frost
July 11, 2007 (323) 951-9620

Sacramento, CA-- A diverse coalition of scientists, hunters, conservationists and landowners today unveiled a statement of scientific agreement, signed by 44 biologists, that concludes that lead ammunition is poisoning the California Condor and threatening its survival in the wild. As a result, representatives from Audubon California, Ventana Wildlife Society, Defenders of Wildlife, UC Santa Cruz, Tejon Ranch and private sportsmen called for a ban on lead ammunition in condor habitat areas.

“In our lifetimes we have removed lead from paint and gasoline to protect human health. Removing lead from the condors’ environment is now the most important step we can take to save condors. The risk to condors is clear,” said Graham Chisholm, Director of Conservation for Audubon California. “Condors are powerful symbols of our state, and we urge the California Fish and Game Commission to embrace this simple action that can protect them -- ban lead ammunition in condor country.”

The California Condor population dwindled to 22 in the mid-1980s but thanks to an aggressive breeding and tracking program the population has grown to nearly 300. However, elevated levels of lead in the condors’ bloodstream threaten their long-term survival. Elevated blood lead levels contribute to lead poisoning, which can result in a painful death, sometimes taking several days. Not taking action to remove lead from the condors’ environment means that wildlife managers must continually trap birds, test blood levels and, if at dangerous levels, transport them to a facility to undergo an expensive and painful process to detoxify their blood.

“It is environmentally irresponsible for us to allow condors to be poisoned, particularly because it is preventable,” said Kelly Sorenson, Executive Director of the Ventana Wildlife Society. “"Hunters have been exceptional conservationists over time and it's time again for us to lead and ensure that condors remain part of our ecosystem for years to come."

The California Fish and Game Commission will accept public testimony on the effects of a proposal to ban lead ammunition in condor inhabited areas at their July 13, 2007, meeting to be held in Bridgeport, CA. The proposal being considered is designed to reduce the risk of lead poisoning to the condor by banning lead ammunition for big game hunting. Non-lead ammunition made of copper, steel, tungsten or other materials are readily available.

“Deer and other big game are extremely important to condors,” said Gary Langham, Director of Bird Conservation, Audubon California. “Being scavengers, condors often feed on gutpiles left behind by hunters, which allows them access to easy sources of nutritious food.” Using non-lead ammunition for big game hunting will keep carcasses poison-free and allow hunters to continue this widely enjoyed recreational activity.

Tejon Ranch, California’s largest contiguous private landholding and private game preserve, recently decided to voluntarily ban the use of lead ammunition on its 270,000 acres of hunting ground. Each year more than 1,800 hunters visit Tejon Ranch where they hunt with non-lead alternatives. This allows released condors to frequent the ranch without the threat of accidental lead ingestion.

“As an avid hunter, sportsman and former game warden, I believe that a ban on lead ammunition is the right thing to do,” said Henry Coletto. “Using non lead ammunition has no affect on the way I hunt, but it can mean the difference between life and death for the condor. I wholeheartedly support a ban on lead ammunition in the areas inhabited by the condor.” The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service enacted a similar ban on lead ammunition for waterfowl hunting in 1991.

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About Audubon California

Audubon California is dedicated to protecting birds and other wildlife and the habitat that supports them. With more than 50,000 members in California and an affiliated 48 local Audubon chapters, Audubon California is a field program of Audubon. This relationship links Audubon California to a national network of community-based nature centers and chapters, scientific and educational programs, and advocacy on behalf of areas sustaining important bird populations, engaging millions of people of all ages and backgrounds in conservation.

More information is available at www.ca.audubon.org.