Overview

• A pathological examination showed the Gänsegeier died of kidney, liver and lung failure triggered by lead fragments from hunting ammunition.
• The 2.5-meter wingspan vulture first appeared in the Allgäu in early March and was found dead approximately two weeks later.
• The LBV is urging municipalities and private hunters across Bavaria to switch to lead-free ammunition, citing bans in other German states.
• Experts warn that lead-laced carrion endangers not only rare visitors like the Griffon vulture but also native scavengers such as the recently reintroduced bearded vulture.
• A similar incident in 2022 claimed another Gänsegeier in the Starnberg district, highlighting the persistent threat of lead poisoning to protected vulture species.