Two raptors are recovering at Dickerson Park Zoo following high levels of lead poisoning, and the care team hopes their stories can encourage others to think twice before using lead bullets while hunting or lead sinkers while fishing.
Animal health technician April Marler said the raptor rehab program’s latest patient, an adolescent eagle, was found in a field and looked unable to fly. A Missouri Department of Conservation agent brought the bird to the animal hospital Jan. 8.
Marler could see the eagle was having issues.
“He was flopping around the crate some,” Marler said.