Document Detail


Evidence of lead exposure in a free-ranging population of Kea (Nestor notabilis).
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20688646     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Kea (Nestor notabilis) are high country parrots endemic to New Zealand. The foraging behavior and inquisitive nature of Kea have led to incidences of foreign substance ingestion, including lead. Between April 2006 and November 2007, 38 Kea in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand, were captured, and blood was sampled for blood lead analysis. All birds sampled had detectable blood lead with concentrations ranging from 0.028 mg/l to 3.43 mg/l (mean+/-SE, 0.428+/-0.581 mg/l). A retrospective analysis of necropsy reports and archived samples from 15 wild Kea from various South Island locations also was carried out. Seven of these birds (five from the Aoraki/Mount Cook area) died with clinical signs consistent with lead toxicosis and had liver and/or kidney lead levels reported to cause lead toxicity in other avian species. All seven of these birds also had lead inclusions (Ziehl-Neelson positive intranuclear inclusion bodies) in the renal tubular epithelial cells. These are considered diagnostic of lead toxicity in other species. This study showed that lead exposure is ubiquitous in the sampled population and may be an important contributing factor in Kea morbidity and mortality. As a result of these findings, lead abatement in areas frequented by Kea is being initiated.
Authors:
Jennifer Marie McLelland; Clio Reid; Kate McInnes; Wendi D Roe; Brett D Gartrell
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of wildlife diseases     Volume:  46     ISSN:  1943-3700     ISO Abbreviation:  J. Wildl. Dis.     Publication Date:  2010 Apr 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-08-06     Completed Date:  2010-10-22     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0244160     Medline TA:  J Wildl Dis     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  532-40     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
New Zealand Wildlife Health Centre, Institute of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11,222, Palmerston North 4474, New Zealand. jen_mclelland@hotmail.com
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Animals, Wild / blood,  metabolism
Behavior, Animal
Bird Diseases / epidemiology,  mortality*
Environmental Exposure*
Female
Inclusion Bodies / chemistry
Lead / blood*
Lead Poisoning / epidemiology,  mortality,  veterinary*
Male
New Zealand / epidemiology
Parrots / blood,  metabolism*
Retrospective Studies
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
7439-92-1/Lead

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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