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A rhinoceros shown walking by Joel Jerzog/Unsplash

The Cornell Wildlife Health Center continues to enhance synergy among many of Cornell’s wildlife-focused programs, expand student learning opportunities, and capitalize on earnest interdisciplinary approaches to addressing key wildlife conservation and related public health challenges.
A Bald Eagle shown eating at a deer carcass

The bald eagle population has slowly recovered from the impact of a pesticide that nearly drove them to extinction decades ago. But now researchers at Cornell University have found that lead ammunition continues to hamper the resilience of these American icons.
A Bald Eagle in flight

As the number of American bald eagles has continued to soar in recent years, Cornell researchers are now warning the species’ reemergence is being threatened by lead poisoning from gun ammunition. 
Bald Eagle radiograph from Avian Haven

Bald eagle populations have slowly recovered from near devastation after the government banned DDT in 1972, but another ongoing issue has weakened that rebound – lead poisoning from gunshot ammunition.
A Bald Eagle shown eating at a deer carcass

For Your Information

Bald eagles are considered a recovery success in the U.S. after rebounding from near extirpation due to widespread use of DDT. Although abundances of bald eagles have increased since DDT was banned, other contaminants have remained in the environment with unknown influence on eagle population trends.
A Fisher shown in a tree

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation recently renewed the New York State Wildlife Health Program for $6.4 million over five years. This partnership has enabled Cornell to work with the state’s wildlife biologists on threats that affect all of New York's wildlife.
Bald Eagles feeding on a carcass left by a hunter by Chelsea Geyer, NYSDEC Wildlife technician

There is no safe level of lead for any wildlife species, and a hunter’s ammunition choice can mean life or death for scavenging wildlife.
Cornell Red-tailed Hawk in flight by Christine Bogdanowicz 2020

The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine has released its 2020 Annual Report, detailing its progress in its key strategic priority areas, including "Advances in Animal, Human and Ecosystem Health."
Bald Eagle in flight

Video

The comeback of the American bald eagle is a success story across the nation, but now these magnificent birds are facing another threat. See what Cornell scientists are doing to help determine the sources and impacts of lead in New York bald eagles.
Bald Eagle perched

The comeback of the American bald eagle is a success story across the Great Lakes region, and keeping them safe is a high priority for many environmental professionals. But one serious threat to the great raptor is lead poisoning.