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ST. GEORGE — It's not just condors. Experts say lead exposure from bullets can impact all scavengers and even humans.
Earlier this year, Condor 1K, the first to fledge in Zion National Park, died of lead poisoning — the leading cause of diagnosed California condor fatalities. 1K was well-loved by staff, volunteers and visitors, who remember him fondly, St. George News reported.
While the loss was difficult for those who worked with 1K, it also "ignited a flame under them to really be drilling that lead messaging," Janice Stroud-Settles, a wildlife program manager at Zion, told St. George News.
"The only way we're going to help this problem is letting people know and having them understand how they can prevent this," she added.