WAYNESBORO, VA (Wildlife Center of Virginia) — On January 20, the Wildlife Center admitted an adult Black Vulture that had been found grounded near a road in New Kent County. The bird was initially taken to Eastern Virginia Wildlife Rescue on January 19, and transferred to the Center the following day.
Upon arrival, the vulture appeared quiet and dull but remained responsive during handling. The veterinary team anesthetized the bird for a full examination, which revealed that he was thin, anemic, and dehydrated, with no obvious fractures or external injuries. Blood tests, however, identified the underlying cause of his condition: lead poisoning. His blood lead level measured 4.140 ppm—an extremely high concentration—and diagnostic imaging confirmed the presence of lead fragments in his digestive tract.
While the vulture was under anesthesia, Dr. Karra, the Center’s Director of Veterinary Services, used an endoscope in an attempt to locate and remove the lead fragments. Unfortunately, the fragments had progressed too far through the digestive system to be safely retrieved…