California condor dies of lead poisoning despite efforts by Oakland Zoo

(KRON) — A freed California condor died of lead poisoning at the Oakland Zoo Sunday after veterinarians “did everything they could” to save the animal’s life, the zoo said.

Condor No. 1019, known as “Jane,” was released into the wild in San Simeon on Nov. 2, 2021 as part of an ongoing effort to revive the critically endangered species. Nearly four years later, Jane was taken to the Oakland Zoo for emergency medical treatment.

“This beautiful bird came to us extremely sick with lead poisoning — so sick in fact, she was ataxic (stumbling), then unable to stand,” the Oakland Zoo said. “Her crop and GI tract had stopped moving, so she wasn’t absorbing any nutrition.”

Zoo veterinarians operated on the bird to remove lead fragments from her gizzard Saturday.

“Sadly, the lead poisoning was too advanced, and she died last night,” the Oakland Zoo announced Monday. “This tragic case is yet another example of how dangerous lead ammunition is to condors.”

Condors can unknowingly ingest lead bullets while eating the rotting flesh of dead animals. Lead poisoning is the top killer of condors released into the wild. According to the Yurok Tribe — a Northern California tribe working to restore the species in the region.

In January, another California condor was found dead of lead poisoning in the remote backcountry of Redwood National Park.

“A tiny lead bullet fragment is enough to kill not only a condor, but also vultures and eagles, should they scavenge on remains of an animal killed with lead ammunition,” the Yurok Tribe said. “These important scavengers remove carcasses from the landscape and are critical in reducing the spread of disease in many game species.”