For Immediate UseContact: Garrison Frost
December 7, 2007(323) 951-9620

Sacramento, CA – Audubon California today applauded the California Fish & Game Commission for adopting new regulations that affirm the intent of recent legislation banning the use of lead ammunition in regions of the state inhabited by the endangered California Condor.

“This is another victory for the California Condor,” said Graham Chisholm, director of conservation for Audubon California. “The commission took the right steps today to ensure that the new law is implemented in a way that makes the most sense for both the Condor and hunters.”

In October, Gov. Schwarzenegger signed AB 821, authored by Assemblyman Pedro Nava, which initially set the ban on lead ammunition. The new regulations approved today by the state Fish & Game Commission make the law practicable by allowing for trace levels of lead that appear in alternative copper ammunition. The commission took the added step of banning all lead – even trace levels – from .22 caliber and rimfire ammunition.

Condors frequently feed on animal carcasses left behind by hunters, and ingest dangerously high levels of lead from ammunition. Audubon California, which has long advocated on behalf of the endangered species, has been pushing for additional protections for the Condor both among hunters and actively at the legislative and policy levels.

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.