Levels of blood lead in Griffon vultures from a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Spain

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
Fernando GonzálezCasilda Rodríguez

Abstract

Lead is considered a highly toxic contaminant with important impacts to bird wildlife. Griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) are a sensitive indicator of the level of environmental contamination due to their position at the top of the food chain and their dependence on human activities. The aim of this study was to assess susceptibility to lead intoxication in Griffon vultures admitted to Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers (WRC), measuring blood lead levels and determining if blood lead concentrations are related to clinical signs, hematological, biochemical or radiographic findings. Also, the influence of age, gender, body condition, season and primary cause of admission were evaluated. This study was realized in all Griffon vultures admitted during a period of one year in the Rehabilitation Center GREFA. Blood lead levels are measured by using anodic stripping voltammetry. In Griffon vultures, we observed that 26% of the analyzed birds presented lead levels above 20µg/dL with 74% below 20µg/dL ([Pb]<20 =9.34±5.60µg/dL). In our study, statistically significant differences were found for lead according to sex, season of admission to the center and body condition. A negative correlation was found between levels of metal and hematocrit. No...Continue Reading

Citations

Dec 18, 2018·Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry·Fernando GonzálezOctavio P Luzardo
Dec 24, 2018·New Zealand Veterinary Journal·E Cowie, B D Gartrell
Sep 26, 2019·Frontiers in Veterinary Science·Amanda H BoesenJon M Arnemo
Nov 18, 2018·The Science of the Total Environment·Pablo I Plaza, Sergio A Lambertucci

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