Samples of corn available as wild-life feed from retailers throughout Georg
ia (USA) were collected during April 1997 and analyzed for aflatoxin to det
ermine if levels harmful to wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) were present
. Three of 31 (10%) samples collected from a 40-country area were positive.
An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay qualitatively determined that two sam
ples contained from 0 to 20 ppb aflatoxin. A chromatography analysis of a t
hird sample measured 380 ppb total aflatoxin. A small percentage of our sam
ple of wildlife feed collected during one season contained levels of aflato
xin that may cause harm to turkeys, especially poults. However, because afl
atoxin levels ranging from 100 to 400 ppb may cause liver dysfunction and i
mmunosuppression in turkey poults and other wildlife, grains known to be co
ntaminated with aflatoxin at levels unacceptable for domestic animal feeds
(greater than or equal to 100 ppb) should not be sold as wildlife feed. Fur
ther analyses of grains sold as wildlife feed should be conducted to addres
s this potential problem.