Source: San Francisco Chronicle
A critically endangered California condor named Jane (condor 1019) died from severe lead poisoning despite rescue efforts by veterinary staff at the Oakland Zoo. Jane had been transferred from the Ventana Wildlife Society in Monterey in a debilitated state—unable to stand or digest food—and underwent surgery to remove lead fragments from her stomach. However, the lead contamination was too advanced to reverse, and she passed away.
Born in 2020 at the World Center for Birds of Prey in Idaho, Jane was known for her strong and nurturing presence among other condors. The incident underscores the persistent threat that lead poisoning—primarily from scavenging carcasses containing lead bullet fragments—poses to condors. The Oakland Zoo, part of the California Condor Recovery Program, continues working to treat injured or ill condors to support the species’ survival. Jane’s death highlights the urgent need to address lead ammunition as a major risk to recovery efforts.
Read the full story HERE: https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/oakland-zoo-tries-save-condor-got-poisoned-wild-20790964.php