Special Programs

Lead Testing for Birds of Prey

Thanks to grant funding from the Crown Point Community Foundation, we began testing birds of prey for lead exposure in 2020. Every adult raptor admitted to our Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is stabilized, and a blood sample is collected and sent for analysis. This testing helps us identify birds that have been exposed to lead so we can provide the most effective treatment possible.

The Dangers of Lead Poisoning

Lead toxicity is a major factor in the decline of raptor populations across the U.S., killing millions of birds each year. Raptors are most often exposed through:

• Ingestion of spent lead shot, bullets, lost fishing sinkers, and lead tackle.

• Consuming prey wounded or killed with lead ammunition or bullet fragments.

In Northwest Indiana, historic manufacturing and industrial activity have further increased the risk of lead contamination in wildlife.

Effects of Lead Poisoning in Raptors

Without treatment, lead poisoning can cause severe neurological and physical issues, including:

• Weight loss and emaciation

• Weakness and lethargy

• Blindness

• Seizures

• High egg mortality

Because raptors in our region face lead exposure from both hunting practices and environmental contamination, testing is critical to ensuring timely, effective care.

Collaborative Research Projects

We are proud to partner with universities and agencies across the country to advance wildlife health and conservation:

• University of Florida – SARS-CoV-2 in Wildlife
  Providing blood samples from native mammals admitted to our center for antibody testing. All samples have tested negative. We are the only participating center in Indiana, joining ~60 rehabilitation facilities nationwide.

• Otterbein University – Acoustic Rabies Detection in Bats
  Supplying bat vocalization recordings and submitting deceased bats for rabies testing. Recordings are being used to develop an auditory test to detect rabies in bats.

• University of Oregon – Assessing Rehabilitation’s Impact on Raptor Mortality
  Sharing bird of prey patient data, including causes of admission and outcomes, to help determine whether rehabilitation reduces mortality from incidental industrial impacts.

• Indiana DNR – Avian Influenza & Heavy Metal Toxicity in Waterfowl
  Providing blood samples from native waterfowl to measure heavy metal levels and test for avian influenza antibodies. The DNR is studying the link between toxicity and survivability of avian influenza.