Though California just lately banned using anticoagulant rodenticides, turkey vultures within the state nonetheless have proof of publicity to the chemical compounds of their our bodies.
Researchers studied the vultures’ publicity to eight several types of rodenticide in southern California from 2016 to 2021.
The group discovered 11% of the birds they studied had been uncovered to anticoagulant rodenticides.
“The presence of rodenticides within the blood of some people is simply the tip of the iceberg and demonstrates that these compounds are nonetheless on the market,” mentioned Miguel Saggese, a college member on the Faculty of Veterinary Medication at Western College of Well being Sciences and an creator of a current examine on the turkey vultures (Cathartes aura).
Saggese and his colleagues mentioned that these findings might imply that different extra weak raptor species like burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia), white-tailed kites (Elanus leucurus) and California condors (Gymnogyps californianus) might probably be uncovered.
This article was first printed by The Wildlife Society on 4 December 2024. Lead Picture: Researchers tagged turkey vultures and examined their blood to find out publicity to anticoagulant rodenticide. Credit score: Miguel D. Sagges.
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