Hunters on Kvarner Islands interested in lead-free ammunition

Hunters will be provided with complimentary lead-free hunting bullets next year to boost their interest in using this type of ammunition, particularly considering the recent ban on lead ammunition in wetland habitats

Lead poisoning from hunting ammunition poses a severe threat to the survival of Griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) and other birds of prey. Along with hazardous pesticides, asbestos, smog, or mercury, lead stands out as one of the most dangerous chemicals due to its toxicity and prevalence in our environment. In addition to being a threat to birds, lead also harms human health. It adversely affects almost every organic system, acting as a silent killer. Its symptoms are imperceptible, and even the smallest amounts can have a detrimental impact on the health of both people and nature. As part of the LIFE SUPport project, the Biom Association organized educational talks for hunters on the dangers of lead poisoning and shared real-life experiences of using lead-free ammunition.

The talks were conducted by dr. vet. med. Vedran Slijepčević, an expert and practitioner in hunting and veterinary medicine. They took place on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at 6 p.m. in the Krk City Council on the island of Krk, and on Thursday, November 30, 2023, at 6 p.m. in the Sveti Vid Hunting Lodge on the island of Cres. Before the lecture, the Biom Association presented the LIFE SUPport project, and the PI Priroda shared its experiences regarding the issue of lead poisoning in Kvarner Griffon vultures. The lectures drew more than 40 hunters on Krk and over 30 on Cres. Some attendees previously participated in a similar lecture a few years ago and generally expressed satisfaction with lead-free ammunition.

Hunters will be provided with complimentary lead-free hunting bullets next year to boost their interest in using this type of ammunition, particularly considering the recent ban on lead ammunition in wetland habitats. The good turnout of hunters at these talks brings hope that awareness of the harmful effects of this type of munition is increasing.

The goal of the LIFE SUPport project is to enhance nesting conditions and ensure the survival of the last remaining griffon vulture population in Croatia, located in the Kvarner Islands. Griffon vultures are magnificent birds, the largest in Croatia, boasting a wingspan between 240 to 280 cm, a height of up to 110 cm, and weighing between 7 to 12 kg. As scavengers, they exclusively feed on the carrion of large and medium-sized mammals, playing a vital role in the ecosystem by preventing potential diseases through the removal of dangerous bacteria. Unfortunately, birds of prey and vultures are susceptible to lead poisoning from ingesting buckshot and ammunition found in carrion. Annually, up to 12% of the European population of griffon vultures dies from lead poisoning.

Lead partner for LIFE SUPport is Biom association, other partners are Public Institution for Protected Area Management in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County “Priroda”, Agricultural Collective “Otok Krk”, HEP-Operator distribucijskog sustava (DOS), and Vulture Conservation Foundation with Administration for protection of nature of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development as an associated partner. (This article was translated into English by Nika Vuletić)