Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW More lightning, high winds possible ... Scientist: We need to learn to live with wildfires ... Weather or Not: June in Redding — er, I mean Ashland ... More lightning, high winds possible ... Scientist: We need to learn to live with wildfires ... Weather or Not: June in Redding — er, I mean Ashland ... FOUND NEAR REEDER RESERVOIR Tests show eagle died of lead poisoning Comment By Ryan Pfeil for the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Ryan Pfeil for the Tidings Posted Feb. 12, 2015 at 3:41 PM Updated Feb 12, 2015 at 3:56 PM By Ryan Pfeil for the Tidings Posted Feb. 12, 2015 at 3:41 PM Updated Feb 12, 2015 at 3:56 PM » Social News GRANTS PASS — The bald eagle that died just over a week after it was found grounded outside Ashland last December died from lead poisoning, Wildlife Images officials confirmed. Executive Director Dave Siddon said pathology tests performed in Madison, Wis., confirmed the long-suspected diagnosis this week. The bird, named Kringle in honor of the holiday season, was also screened for avian flu and West Nile virus, diagnoses which present similar symptoms. “You can’t treat for lead toxicity until you've positively diagnosed it. The treatment is very tough on the animal,” Siddon said. Ashland Water Treatment Plant supervisor Greg Hunter found Kringle Dec. 9 on the Reeder Reservoir shore south of Ashland. The bird had his head down and would not fly, signs that can indicate lead poisoning. Wildlife Images took Kringle into their care, thinking at first his sluggishness and facial swelling could have been caused by the bird running into something during flight. "The first symptoms, we thought it was an impact of some sort," Siddon said. "That's the first thing that we were looking for." During his stay at Wildlife Images, Kringle received a slew of treatments, including anti-fungal medication, antibiotics and steroids. Due to the high risk and unconfirmed diagnosis, lead poisoning treatment was not included. The bird's health came and went during his time at the facility, Siddon said, bouncing back and forth between improvement and decline over several days. He died sometime before the morning of Thursday, Dec. 18. Where the lead poisoning stems from is unknown, though Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife officials say it can come from several sources. Steve Niemela, assistant district wildlife biologist for ODFW, said the most common source is from lead ammunition fragments, which can be ingested by birds of prey scavenging on the discarded remains of hunted animals. Other less likely possibilities include waste from old mine shafts, older paint or lead sinkers, Niemala said. Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected]. Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil. By Ryan Pfeil for the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Ryan Pfeil for the Tidings Posted Feb. 12, 2015 at 3:41 PM Updated Feb 12, 2015 at 3:56 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501