Wildlife groups sue US over lead bullets

Seven US conservation groups on Thursday filed a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency, accusing the government of failing to regulate the use of toxic lead bullets in hunting. Lead bullets have been shown to fragment upon impact, leaving bits behind in carcasses that other animals scavenge. The practice can cause lead poisoning in species such as the endangered California condor, eagles, swans and more. A petition by 100 environmental groups to the EPA in March, asking for the agency to regulate the components of ammunition used in hunting under the Toxic Substances Control Act, was refused amid strong opposition by gun rights groups. "The EPA has the ability to immediately end the unintended killing of eagles, swans, loons, condors and other wildlife," said Jeff Miller with the Center for Biological Diversity, one of the seven groups filing the latest suit...more