AN EPIZOOTIC OF LEAD-POISONING IN GREATER FLAMINGOS (PHOENICOPTERUS-RUBER ROSEUS) IN SPAIN

During November 1992 to March 1993, and November 1993 to February 1994 , 106 greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber) were collected dead or moribund in the wetlands of El Fondo and Salinas de Santa Pola, easter n Spain. Birds still alive were emaciated and had a bile-stained diarr hea. On necropsy, they had liquid in the upper digestive tract and the walls of their gizzards were stained dark green. Fifty-three (93%) of 57 gizzards examined contained lead shot (range one to 277 shot), and fifty-five (96%) of 57 livers contained levels of lead greater than 5 mu g/g dry weight (DW) (median = 192.3 mu g/g DW, range <2.5 to 992.2 mu g/g DW).