Geese will be studied for lead content
28.01.2012
From this winter the BSPB team of the Life + Project “Save Ground for Redbreasts” starts cooperation with experts from Spain based in CISC – Doñana Biological Station and Institute for Wildlife and Game Research on lead content in wintering geese.
The first sampling was done in this January when Dr. Nicky Petkov and Dr. Petar Iankov joined the colleagues from Spain – Dr. Andy Green and Dr. Rafael Mateo leading experts on waterbirds and eco-toxicology, to collect the first samples in the Life+ Project Area at Shabla and Durankulak Lakes. The study will reveal what is the lead concentration in the population of the most threatened goose species in the World now – the Red-breasted Goose (
Branta ruficollis). Comparison will be made with lead content in a huntable species like the Greater White-fronted Goose (
Anser albifrons). Waterfowl species such as geese do get lead through ingesting lead shots from hunters’ cartridges that remain in the soil or the shallow parts of the lakes where geese might taking grid for the digestion. Lead in the body could be result of non lethal shots experienced by the birds when the pellets are slowly decomposing in the organism.
The method is based on analysis of fresh faces of geese and the results are compared to lead/aluminum ratio content in the soil and plants taken as food by the birds. The methodology also allows for stress hormones level to be tested and other pollutants as pesticides. The results of the study will contribute significantly to the better understanding the conservation problems of the wintering geese in the area and allow necessary steps to be taken regarding conservation planning and actions.
From this winter the BSPB team of the Life + Project “Save Ground for Redbreasts” starts cooperation with experts from Spain based in CISC – Doñana Biological Station and Institute for Wildlife and Game Research on lead content in wintering geese.
The first sampling was done in this January when Dr. Nicky Petkov and Dr. Petar Iankov joined the colleagues from Spain – Dr. Andy Green and Dr. Rafael Mateo leading experts on waterbirds and eco-toxicology, to collect the first samples in the Life+ Project Area at Shabla and Durankulak Lakes. The study will reveal what is the lead concentration in the population of the most threatened goose species in the World now – the Red-breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis). Comparison will be made with lead content in a huntable species like the Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons). Waterfowl species such as geese do get lead through ingesting lead shots from hunters’ cartridges that remain in the soil or the shallow parts of the lakes where geese might taking grid for the digestion. Lead in the body could be result of non lethal shots experienced by the birds when the pellets are slowly decomposing in the organism.
The method is based on analysis of fresh faces of geese and the results are compared to lead/aluminum ratio content in the soil and plants taken as food by the birds. The methodology also allows for stress hormones level to be tested and other pollutants as pesticides. The results of the study will contribute significantly to the better understanding the conservation problems of the wintering geese in the area and allow necessary steps to be taken regarding conservation planning and actions.
