Legal News

Miss lead? Copper's better for condors in SoCal.

By Richard Binder

Because it is now against the law to use leaded bullets in the "condor range" in parts of southern California, new copper and other non-lead bullets have found a permanent home there. Lead is a toxic heavy metal that has been linked to central nervous system damage, and blood and brain disorders in humans and other animals. The California condor is listed on the endangered species list and studies of the large vultures have found high lead levels over the perceived acceptable limit.

Because of the findings, lawsuits were filed against the California Fish and Game Commission and California Department of Fish and Game by environmental groups such as the Center for Biological Diversity, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Wishtoyo Foundation, along with other groups.

They alleged that the state's failure to prohibit the use of lead bullets afield is at odds with the federal Endangered Species Act. Their claim is that condors ingest bullets, bullet fragments and lead residue from dead animals, carcasses, and gut piles left in the field by hunters.

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Full post as published by Legal Pad | LA on February 18, 2009 (boomark / email).