Why Are Bald Eagles in Iowa Dying From Lead Poisoning?

Wildlife officials in Iowa say they are frustrated. Bald eagles in the state are dying. The cause? Lead poisoning.

Three Bald Eagles Rescued in Iowa

The Des Moines Register reports that Iowa Bird Rehabilitation staff and volunteers rescued three bald eagles on February 15th. All three were suffering from lead poisoning. The amount of lead in each eagle exceeded what the machines could even measure. Eagles with lead poisoning typically don't survive.

A High Number of Bald Eagles Rescued in 2026

Iowa Bird Rehabilitation says that 2026 has been a rough year for bald eagles in Iowa. The Register reports that the group has treated 18 eagles so far in 2026, 12 of them for lead poisoning. Normally, they only treat five or six ealges by this time of year. One of the three eagles rescued on February 15th died before it could receive treatment.

How Do Bald Eagles Get Lead Poisoning?

The Register reports that it doesn't take much to make an eagle sick. A grain-sized flake, like shrapnel flakes, is enough to be lethal. When eagles are scavenging for food, they can ingest lead from carcasses that hunters leave behind. So what could help save these big, beautiful birds? The Register reports that some are advocating for a ban on lead ammunition in the state of Iowa.

Opponents say that other ammunition made from copper and steel is more expensive, while many hunters say that alternatives can be hard to find.

To find out more about lead-free hunting and fishing gear, click HERE.