Elevated lead exposure in Australian hunting dogs during a deer hunting season

Hampton, Jordan O.; Cobb, Mia; Toop, Simon D.; Flesch, Jason S.; Hyndman, Timothy H.

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121317

Cited by 11 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…This aligns with an earlier study on Tasmanian devils which found that 6.1% of sampled wild devils exceeded an uncommonly‐used blood lead level threshold of 0.20 μmol/L (equivalent to ~4.14 μg/dL) 19 . However, it is worth noting that more recent studies have used a lower threshold for elevated blood lead concentrations in non‐human mammals (1.2 μg/dL) 12,40 . Interestingly, Hivert et al 19 found that devils from the Forestier Peninsula had higher lead exposure levels than devils sampled in central Tasmania, but the authors did not provide a hypothesised mechanism for this difference 19 …”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

“…19 However, it is worth noting that more recent studies have used a lower threshold for elevated blood lead concentrations in nonhuman mammals (1.2 μg/dL). 12,40 Interestingly, Hivert et al 19 found that devils from the Forestier Peninsula had higher lead exposure levels than devils sampled in central Tasmania, but the authors did not provide a hypothesised mechanism for this difference. 19 The only factor found to significantly affect liver lead in this study was sex, with female devils having higher mean liver lead levels.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Further investigation of lead exposure as a potential threatening process for a scavenging marsupial species

Hutchinson,

Jones,

Pay

et al. 2023

Aust Veterinary J

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There is a growing recognition of the harmful effects of lead exposure on avian and mammalian scavengers. This can lead to both lethal and non‐lethal effects which may negatively impact wildlife populations. Our objective was to assess medium‐term lead exposure in wild Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii). Frozen liver samples (n = 41), opportunistically collected in 2017–2022, were analysed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) to determine liver lead concentrations. These results were then used to calculate the proportion of animals with elevated lead levels (>5 mg/kg dry weight) and examine the role of explanatory variables that may have influenced the results. The majority of samples analysed were from the south‐east corner of Tasmania, within 50 km of Hobart. No Tasmanian devil samples were found to have elevated lead levels. The median liver lead concentration was 0.17 mg/kg (range 0.05–1.32 mg/kg). Female devils were found to have significantly higher liver lead concentrations than males (P = 0.013), which was likely related to lactation, but other variables (age, location, body mass) were not significant. These results suggest that wild Tasmanian devil populations currently show minimal medium‐term evidence of exposure to lead pollution, although samples were concentrated in peri‐urban areas. The results provide a baseline level which can be used to assess the impact of any future changes in lead use in Tasmania. Furthermore, these data can be used as a comparison for lead exposure studies in other mammalian scavengers, including other carnivorous marsupial species.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Further investigation of lead exposure as a potential threatening process for a scavenging marsupial species

Hutchinson,

Jones,

Pay

et al. 2023

Aust Veterinary J

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“…The deleterious neurotoxic effects of this ingested lead have been documented in wildlife for more than a century (Wetmore 1919;Pain et al 2019), and have more recently been described in humans (Tsuji & Nieboer 1997;Buenz & Parry 2018) and domestic animals (e.g. hunting dogs ;Fern andez et al 2021;Hampton et al 2023a). Acute lethal exposure can occur through ingestion of leadcontaminated carcasses, but equally concerning is the potential for sub-lethal effects resulting in chronic health declines, as has been demonstrated for Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) in Europe…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2021; Hampton et al . 2023a). Acute lethal exposure can occur through ingestion of lead‐contaminated carcasses, but equally concerning is the potential for sub‐lethal effects resulting in chronic health declines, as has been demonstrated for Golden Eagles ( Aquila chrysaetos ) in Europe (Ecke et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Highlighting the risk of environmental lead contamination for deer management in Australia

Hampton,

Flesch,

Wendt

et al. 2023

Eco Management Restoration

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SummaryLead‐based bullets used to shoot deer typically fragment. These toxic fragments are a threat to wildlife scavengers and human consumers of venison. Awareness of this issue is widespread internationally but limited in Australia. The aim of this research was to characterise deer carcass contamination via bullet fragmentation associated with lead‐based and lead‐free ammunition in a deer culling program conducted in Australia. We used radiography (X‐rays) to study Hog Deer (Axis porcinus) shot in a professional ground‐based shooting program in Victoria, south‐eastern Australia. Our data captured 33 deer shot with frangible lead‐based bullets in 2021, and 21 deer shot with monolithic lead‐free (copper‐based) bullets from the same rifles in 2021–2022. For lead‐based bullets, the mean number of lead fragments per carcass ranged from seven to 629 (mean ± SD = 256 ± 169), mean fragment size was 1.2 mm2 (74% of fragments were <1.0 mm2) and the mean fragment coverage area (the smallest ellipse covering all fragments) was 325 cm2. Of these deer, 36% had metallic fragments in the ‘back strap’ (loin) muscles and 42% had metallic fragments in the shoulder muscles: meat cuts typically removed for human consumption. In contrast, for lead‐free bullets, the mean number of metallic fragments per carcass ranged from zero to four (0.5 ± 1.0), with only 29% of carcasses having any fragments, and no deer had metallic fragments in the loin or shoulder muscles. On the basis of these results, it is clear that lead‐based bullets used for shooting deer in Australia pose risks to wildlife scavengers, and to human consumers when used in hunting. Australian wildlife managers involved in mitigating deer impacts should strongly consider a timely transition to lead‐free bullets.

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Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants in Australian Waterbirds

Nzabanita,

Shen,

Grist

et al. 2024

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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There is growing worldwide recognition of the threat posed by persistent organic pollutants (POPs) to wildlife populations. We aimed to measure exposure levels to POPs in a Southern Hemisphere aquatic waterbird species, the nomadic grey teal (Anas gracilis), which is found across Australia. We collected wings from 39 ducks harvested by recreational hunters at two sites (one coastal, one inland) in Victoria, south‐eastern Australia, in 2021. We examined three groups of POPs: nine congeners of polychlorinated bi‐phenyls (PCBs), 13 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and 12 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PCBs, OCPs and PAHs were detected at quantifiable levels in 13%, 72%, and 100% of birds, respectively. Of the congeners we tested for in PCBs, OCPs, and PAHs, 33%, 38%, and 100% were detected at quantifiable levels, respectively. The highest levels of exposure to POPs that we found was to the PAH, benzo[b]fluoranthene, occurring at a concentration range of 1.78–161.05 ng/g ww. There were some trends detected relating to differences between geographical sites, with higher levels of several PAHs at the coastal versus inland site. There were several strong, positive associations among PAHs found. We discuss potential sources for the POPs detected, including industrial and agricultural sources, and the likely role of large‐scale forest fires in PAH levels. Our results confirm that while Australian waterbirds are exposed to a variety of POPs, exposure levels are currently relatively low. Additional future investigations are required to further characterize POPs within Australian waterbird species.

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Elevated lead exposure in Australian hunting dogs during a deer hunting season

Cited by 11 publications

References 53 publications

Further investigation of lead exposure as a potential threatening process for a scavenging marsupial species

Further investigation of lead exposure as a potential threatening process for a scavenging marsupial species

Highlighting the risk of environmental lead contamination for deer management in Australia

Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants in Australian Waterbirds

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