Abstract
Lead poisoning of an estimated 925 Canada geese (Branta canadensis) was studied at a 10-ha pond surrounded by agricultural fields containing shooting pits. Incidence of atrophied muscle tissue, excess pericardial fluid, staining of the digestive tract, impacted proventriculi and lead fragments in the gizzard were recorded. Eighty-five percent of the lead victims could have been identified using impaction or lead fragments in the gizzard for documentation. Victims contained an average of 102, 125, 41, and 6 ppm (dry wt.) lead in liver, kidney, ulna and breast muscle tissue, respectively. Geese chemically diagnosed as lead victims contained >30 ppm (dry wt.) lead in either liver or kidney. Lead fragments found in gizzards indicated large pellets were ingested at a greater rate than available in surrounding fields. Only 1 lead fragment was found in 98 percent of the gizzards containing pellets.
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