Despite the efforts of environmentally minded groups over the years to eliminate lead in hunting ammo and fishing tackle, the toxic alloy still kills an estimated 10 million-20 million birds and animals each year, including bald eagles, swans, and critically endangered California condors that feast on the carcasses and gut piles of animals killed by hunters. This week, a coalition of wildlife experts and veterinarians filed a formal petition with the Environmental Protection Agency requesting a complete ban on lead during hunting and fishing activities. The petition cites almost 500 peer-reviewed studies denouncing the 87,000 tons of lead scattered in lakes and forests yearly, also remarking on the underreported but very real health risks posed to people.
