Nothing Ruins the Great Outdoors Like Lead Poisoning
Overturning a lead ban for wildlife refuges puts birds and people at risk.
WASHINGTON (March 2, 2017)鈥擨n response to Secretary Ryan Zinke鈥檚 move to overturn a ban on lead ammunition and fishing tackle in wildlife refuges, the 探花精选 issued the following statement:
"Lead ammo kills birds long after being fired from a gun,鈥 said Sarah Greenberger, 探花精选鈥檚 VP of conservation. 鈥淏anning toxic ammunition and fishing tackle in wildlife refuges is necessary for their long term survival as well as our own safety.
鈥淚f Secretary Zinke has concerns with the process through which the lead ban was implemented, 探花精选 will work with him on any new effort to protect birds and the places they need, using the best available science."
Discarded lead ammunition and fishing tackle stay in the environment long after use and pose a deadly threat to birds, wildlife and people. Scavengers like condors and vultures may ingest carrion contaminated by lead shot, which often results in lead poisoning and a painful death.
For years, 探花精选 has led the way to protect birds and people from lead poisoning in the environment. In 2013, , a statewide ban that aims to completely phase out the use of lead ammunition statewide by 2019.
The 探花精选 protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation. 探花精选鈥檚 state programs, nature centers, chapters and partners have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire and unite diverse communities in conservation action. Since 1905, 探花精选鈥檚 vision has been a world in which people and wildlife thrive. 探花精选 is a nonprofit conservation organization. Learn more at and .
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