| The prospects of recovery for California condors (Gymnogyps californianus) improved when legislation banned the use of lead ammunition within their California range in 2008. Yet, lead poisoning remains a threat to condors. While hunters in California are transitioning to copper ammunition, some shooters are challenged by inconsistent availability of non-lead .22 long rifle (LR) ammunition, commonly used by ranchers to control vermin. Condors regularly scavenge on private ranches in central California, where they find rancher-shot ground squirrel and coyote carcasses. In 2012, we discovered a .22-caliber lead bullet in the digestive tract of a lead-poisoned condor, supporting the role of vermin shooting as a continued source of lead poisoning. Currently, only one non-lead .22 LR brand is available, and it has been difficult to find in local stores. Access to this product will be further limited when the California Safety For All Act requires face to face transactions, thereby restricting internet sales. While we facilitate access to non-lead .22 LR by giving hundreds of free boxes to local landowners, the long-term success of the lead ban in eliminating the lead threat will depend on a greater selection and more consistent availability of .22 LR ammunition. |