Intoxicación por munición de plomo en aves silvestres en España y medidas para reducir el riesgo

Mateo, R. Vallverdu-Coll, N., Ortiz-Santaliestra, M.E. (2013). Poisoning by ingestion of lead ammunition in wild birds in Spain and measures taken to reduce this risk. Ecosistemas 22(2):61-67. Doi.: 10.7818/ECOS.2013.22-2.10 Poisoning by ingestion of lead ammunition in wild birds is known in Spain since the end of the last century. High densities of lead shot in various internationally important wetlands produce pellet ingestion rates close to 70% in species such as the northern pintail ( Anas acuta ) and lead poisoning becomes a major cause of mortality of the endangered white-headed duck ( Oxyura leucocephala ). Lead poisoning has also been described in several species of birds of prey, mainly scavengers. The contamination of game meat has also been studied, because in Spain it is usually cooked with vinegar, increasing the transfer of lead from ammunition to meat. For now, the only action taken to reduce the risk of exposure to lead from ammunition in birds and humans has been the banning since 2001 of lead shot in protected wetlands. Here, we review the studies carried out in Spain on lead contamination caused by the ammunition and the effect of the measures taken to reduce this risk.