Hello,
At long last the swan season has ended. As many of you are aware, about
400 trumpeters died of lead shot poisoning this season. We just finished
the necropsy event (246 swans, all but 2 were trumpeters). It appears that
deaths from powerline collisions are up a bit, otherwise it is lead
poisoning again for the vast majority of the birds, even some that hit the
powerlines.
Thanks to the great volunteers assisting the USFWS we were able to
complete the event in record time. Perhaps we set a world record for
necropsies in one day at 134, not something I ever hope to beat.
I will keep you posted if the agencies on either side of the border come
up with answers as to where the lead is coming from . Meanwhile, encourage
everyone you know who hunts, trains retrieving dogs or trap/skeet shoots to
use non-toxic shot.
Lead is toxic, there is NO excuse for anyone to be using it for any reason.

Martha Jordan
www.swansociety.org