First Yellowstone golden eagle fitted with tracker killed by lead poisoning

The first golden eagle in Yellowstone to be fitted with a tracking device has reportedly died of lead poisoning. ABC News reports officials with the U.S. Geological Survey confirmed the death of the eagle and attributed the lead poisoning to the bird likely consuming lead bullet fragments while scavenging for food in the fall and winter months. The female eagle was equipped with a backpack-like radio transmitter that tracked its whereabouts at all times, with it recently flying outside the national park boundary. It likely ate the remains of an animal killed by hunters outside the park.

Since the bird was first equipped with the tracking unit, several others eagles have followed suit, maintaining research efforts for the animal...MORE