A new animation, produced by the Vulture Conservation Foundation, shows the impact of lead on vultures and other raptors. The animation focuses on the Croatian ecosystem, and it has been developed in partnership with the LIFE SUPport project.
Lead is a neurotoxic metal that poses a serious risk to the environment and public health. It is found in hunting ammunition, especially in the form of lead shotgun pellets. When the pellets are fired, they scatter across the landscape and contaminate soil and water, where they remain as a silent killer for decades. When ingested, lead is not processed by the body. Instead, it accumulates in the organs and slowly poisons the animal.
Predators and scavengers are often victims of lead poisoning. They repeatedly feed on contaminated animals that either have ingested lead themselves through their diet or have been shot with lead ammunition. This phenomenon, known as bioaccumulation, occurs when lead accumulates in organisms over time, eventually reaching harmful levels.
The effects of lead poisoning
Lead poisoning causes neurological damage, immune suppression, reproductive failures, metabolic disorders, and often death. The widespread ingestion of lead leads to population declines that are difficult to reverse, putting vultures at risk in many European regions. It is estimated that at least 135 million birds in Europe are at risk of lead poisoning each year from ingesting lead shot, with vultures and other scavengers being among the most impacted.
Community engagement in Croatia and beyond
Griffon Vultures in Croatia are also victims of lead poisoning. Although this is not the primary threat to their survival in the country, it still affects the population. For this reason, the LIFE SUPport project works alongside the hunting community, encouraging the use of non-lead ammunition. This solution has been repeatedly tested in many different countries with successful results. Community engagement on this topic is a vital part of the solution. This animation will help illustrate the issue to a wider audience.
LIFE SUPport
The LIFE SUPport aims to strengthen Croatia’s endangered Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) population. A 5-year project co-financed by the EU’s will create better conditions for the species to thrive and recolonise its historical breeding ground on the Croatian mainland. The project aims to improve breeding and survival conditions, minimise nest disturbance, reduce nestling mortality, tackle the threat of poison, mitigate collision and electrocution risks, and increase food availability.
The LIFE SUPport is a 2.1 million project from January 2023 until December 2027. A joint effort led by BIOM with Public Institution Priroda, Otok Krk Agricultural Cooperative, HEP – Operator distribucijskog sustava d.o.o., the energy distribution company, the Vulture Conservation Foundation and the Croatian Nature Protection Directorate (Ministry of Economy) as associate partners.
