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Britain's waterbirds still being killed by lead poisoning, study finds
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/oct/05/waterbirds-wildfowl-wetlands-lead-poisoning?intcmp=122
Birds return for the winter at Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust's Scott House pond in Slimbridge, Gloucestershire. Photograph: Martin Godwin for the Guardian
A large number of Britain's waterbirds are still being killed by lead poisoning despite the introduction of legislation to prevent the problem, according to a new study.
The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) found that 10% of dead waterbirds collected between 1971 and 2010 died as a result of the highly-toxic metal. Eight per cent were fatally poisoned between 2000 and 2010, with lead gunshot being the most likely source of poisoning.
The trust argued that laws restricting the use of lead in angling weights and ammunition were not working and called on a review of the legislation – which differs across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
It said: "Our results indicate that lead poisoning has continued to affect a wide range of British waterbirds long after legal restrictions were introduced.
