Researchers found that one-third of wild condors are suffering from chronic lead poisoning at levels that cause toxicological effects and sublethal impacts. The amount of lead in free-flying condors, which can scavenge on carcasses tainted with lead ammunition fragments, differs markedly from that in pre-release birds.

The research also demonstrates that lead exposure causes chronic, long-term health effects in condors as well as acute poisonings. Lead-poisoned condors must routinely be removed from the wild and subjected to stressful chelation treatment to save their lives.

The good news is that one study found that since lead ammunition was banned in condor habitat since 2008, lead has been effectively removed from the habitat. As a result, lead poisoning in condors, golden eagles and turkey vultures has been significantly reduced in those areas.

There are safe and available nontoxic alternatives for hunters and anglers that could be used in place of lead. Last November the Center, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, and the hunting group Project Gutpile, filed a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency for failing to regulate the use of toxic lead from hunting ammo and fishing gear that frequently poisons and kills eagles, swans, cranes, loons, condors, and other wildlife. Sadly, the EPA denied a formal petition to ban the lead in the ammo and tackle, in spite of nearly 500 peer-reviewed scientific papers showing the ill effects of continuing to use lead.

So there’s a campaign on to end the use of toxic lead ammunition and fishing tackle. So far, 117 organizations in 30 states have joined the call for a federal ban on lead ammunition and fishing tackle to prevent wildlife poisoning and safeguard human health. Hopefully the government will listen to them and enforce a lead ban.

Along with the usual spots such as Madagascar, the list includes the California Floristic Province, where the Mediterranean-like climate provides a home to the last individuals of the rare California condor, as well as the giant sequoia, the planet’s largest tree. VanDusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver has some young giant sequoia, and they’re majestic trees.

Forests cover only 30 percent of the planet’s area but are home to 80 percent of the world’s land animals and plants, reports Conservation International. The group writes that forests are being destroyed at an alarming rate to give room to pastures, agricultural land, mineral exploitation, and sprawling urban areas, but by doing so we are destroying our own capacity to survive.

The display’s pictures are worthy of National Geographic’s reputation. Overall, it’s a beautiful but sad collection.

On Endangered Species Day, May 21st this year, the San Diego Zoo’s Institute for Conservation Research celebrated by launching its new initiative, “10 Reasons for Hope.”

The 10 Reasons for Hope are success stories, worth celebrating as they brighten the landscape for endangered animals.  Both wild and captive populations have benefitted from the Zoo’s efforts, from Kangaroo Rats and California Condors in the Zoo’s backyard to the Ebo Forest in Central Africa.

Kangaroo Rats, reputed to have such efficient kidneys that they never have to drink, are enjoying their sixth generation managed by the Zoo.  They live in the native bunch grass and chaparral habitat the animals need for food and cover, in southern California.  Diminutive may be a good description for them, however they play an important role in their ecosystem by helping to distribute seeds.

The San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park produced the first condor chick from among the 22 birds that the population had been reduced to 20 years ago.  Today there are 180 condors in the wild and 169 in breeding centers.

San Diego Zoo’s Native Seed Bank has collected and stored almost 23% of the area’s native plant species, which will help preserve the area’s 1,500 native plant species, the most endangered of any county in the continental United States.

Internationally, the Zoo is successfully managing projects that are helping to research endangered primates and upgrade the Ebo Forest in northern central Africa to a national park.

They are also helping restore Giant Panda, frog, and elephant populations.  As well, they are helping to connect American children to nature, rather than letting the trend continue unabated of children spending most of their time inertly parked in front of an indoor computer.

Great photos and details of the 10 Reasons for Hope are on the San Diego Zoo’s website.

Personal encounters with endangered animals are told with the skill of a polished story teller.  Vivid descriptions of the dangers facing wildlife are interspersed with stories of the heroes and actions that are trying to save the animals.

The book must have taken thousands of hours of research.  Among my favorite tidbits is the description of a condor flying – “the beating of those wings, like the sound of sheets flapping on a clothesline in an angry gale” – is why “Native Americans nicknamed the condor ‘thunderbird’ ”.

Corwin’s passion for wild animals is clear and he’s not afraid of making readers feel emotions.  His account of the evacuation of condors from the path of a fire approaching Ventana (California) is high drama, capturing the feelings of carrying endangered birds out through smoke in a US Navy helicopter.

Corwin gets it right on, such as his discussion of the bushmeat crisis.  He writes about the local people: “And like everyone else in the world, they want three things: jobs, education for their children, and good medical care”.  He adds, “That’s why partnerships with human development agencies and local communities are essential.  It is possible if there’s a global commitment to conserve biodiversity.”

The stories behind the conservation headlines also include details about the dreadfully polluted and dammed up Yangtze River, the global disappearance of amphibians which he calls “the canaries in the coalmine”, and the determined fight to save rhinos, among others.  Stories such as the comeback of the black footed ferret – which was thought to be extinct till a farmer’s dog dragged a dead one into their house, revealing a nearby living population – are amazing and give hope that similar events will occur.

It is hoped that this book will “serve as a catalyst, educating people about the state of our natural world and compelling them to help protect it for future generations”.  Our challenges require the efforts of everyone – “everybody from the leader of a nation to somebody who’s just learning about this for the first time”.  “Perhaps the most important component of any possible solution is having the will to find one,” Corwin quotes Richard G. Ruggiero, PhD, of the USFWS Division of International Conservation.

“It’s true that for endangered species, every day presents a challenge.  But it’s also true that every day presents opportunities for us to make resounding strides,” writes Corwin.  “We have the chance to do it, and we can succeed.  Every heartbeat matters.”