| Abstract: | Since 1982, extensive waterfowl mortality due to white phosphorus (P4) has been observed at Eagle River Flats, a tidal marsh near Anchorage, Alaska. Ducks and swans that ingest P4 pellets become lethargic and may display severe convulsions. Intoxicated waterfowl attract raptors and gulls that feed on dead or dying birds. To determine if avian predators can be affected by secondary poisoning, we fed American kestrels (Falco sparverius) 10-day-old domestic chickens that had been dosed with white phosphorus. Eight of 15 kestrels fed intact chicks with a pellet of P4 implanted in their crops died within seven days. Three of 15 kestrels fed chicks that had their upper digestive tracts removed to eliminate any pellets of white phosphorus also died. Hematocrit and hemoglobin in kestrels decreased whereas lactate dehydrogenaseL, glucose, and alanine aminotransferase levels in plasma increased with exposure to contaminated chicks. Histological examination of liver and kidneys showed that the incidence and severity of lesions increased when kestrels were fed contaminated chicks. White phosphorus residues were measurable in 87% of the kestrels dying on study and 20% of the survivors. This study shows that raptors can become intoxicated either by ingesting portions of digestive tracts containing white phosphorus pellets or by consuming tissues of P4 contaminated prey. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 5223325 |
| Citation Author: | Sparling, D.W.; Federoff, N.E. |
| Citation Contributing Office: | Patuxent Wildlife Research Center |
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| Citation End Page: | 247 |
| Citation Issue: | 4 |
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| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Ecotoxicology |
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| Citation Number Of Pages: | 9 |
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| Citation Phsyical Description: | 239-247 |
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| Citation Public Comments: | DOI 10.1023/A:1018630912001 5148_Sparling.pdf |
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| Citation Search Results Text: | Secondary poisoning of kestrels by white phosphorus; 1997; Article; Journal; Ecotoxicology; Sparling, D.W.; Federoff, N.E. |
| Citation Start Page: | 239 |
| Citation Volume: | 6 |
| Citation Year: | 1997 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Secondary poisoning of kestrels by white phosphorus; 1997; Article; Journal; Ecotoxicology; Sparling, D.W.; Federoff, N.E. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| URL (DOCUMENT): | http://www.springerlink.com/content/v14825k53l3r53l7/?p=6695a9fe71e64f5bacfeff9ae8bb3ce2&pi=4 |
| Date Other: | Wed, 16 Jun 2010 12:17 -0500 |
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