The Blue Ridge Wildlife Center in Boyce recently had one of their records shattered: a bald eagle with the highest-ever blood lead level.

The eagle was weak and unable to fly. Found by a roadway, it was initially thought to have been hit by a car, but it showed no fractures or wounds.

The center’s veterinary team noticed this bird had a variety of issues: slight tremors, inability to stand, difficulty breathing and a diminished state of consciousness.

Because 90% of their eagle patients arrive with elevated lead levels, they tested this individual for lead.

This bird had nearly 3,000 micrograms per deciliter, an extraordinarily high level.

Radiographs confirmed there was a large amount of lead in the stomach being actively broken down and leeching into the bloodstream.

In a last-ditc

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