Is release of rehabilitated wildlife with embedded lead ammunition advisable? Plumbism in a Jaguar Panthera Onca (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae), survivor of gunshot wounds

Eduardo A Díaz Eduardo A Díaz,Carolina Sáenz Carolina Sáenz,Kelly Swing Kelly Swing,David A Egas David A Egas,E Santiago Jiménez E Santiago Jiménez

doi:10.11609/jott.5777.13.12.19808-19812

Eduardo A Díaz Eduardo A Díaz, Carolina Sáenz Carolina Sáenz + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.5777.13.12.19808-19812

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Abstract

Lead poisoning is a threat to wildlife, particularly after ingestion of lead ammunition derived from hunting activities. Little information, however, is available concerning plumbism in wild animals that survive the trauma associated with gunshot wounds. This study presents a possible example of lead intoxication by embedded pellets in a Jaguar Panthera onca nineteen months after being injured by a shotgun blast. In addition, the possible path of incorporation of lead into the trophic chain after the eventual release and death of an impacted animal, thereby expanding and prolonging the toxic effects of lead ammunition, is discussed. Direct intoxication by ammunition retained in the body of wild animals, as well as the indirect impacts on predators and scavengers that consume their flesh, should be sufficient reasons to reconsider the release of individuals with embedded lead ammunition into the wild.

Highlights

Material and Methods On 31 October 2016, a juvenile female Jaguar was transferred from the province of Sucumbíos in northeastern Ecuador to the Wildlife Hospital TUERI of Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) for evaluation of injuries caused by a shotgun blast
Embedded lead has been identified as a risk factor causing plumbism in humans and experimental animals, but it has been poorly investigated in wildlife (LaDoucer et al 2015; Berny et al 2017)
There are no data that relate the presence of embedded projectiles with blood lead levels (BLL) in wild mammals, but in humans, values greater than 25-40 μg/dL can cause symptoms that range from quite mild to coma and death (Bustamante & Macias-Konstantopoulos 2016)

Summary

Introduction

Material and Methods On 31 October 2016, a juvenile female Jaguar was transferred from the province of Sucumbíos in northeastern Ecuador to the Wildlife Hospital TUERI of Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) for evaluation of injuries caused by a shotgun blast. In the following nine months, the Jaguar exhibited natural behaviors in terms of hunting and fishing, as well as aversion to and flight from human presence, which indicated excellent potential for successful release into the wild.

Results

Conclusion