Trumpeter Swan Lead Shot Poisoning Investigation in Northwest Washington and Southwest British Columbia Report

Trumpeter (Cygnus buccinator) and tundra swan (Cygnus columbianus) populations wintering in northwest Washington State and on the Sumas Prairie, British Columbia, from 1999-2008, lost over 2,574 members, the majority (62%, 1,586) were confirmed as lead poisoned caused by the ingestion of lead pellets.

In 2001, an international effort was initiated to locate the source(s) of the lead. Participants in the investigation include the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Environment Canada – Canadian Wildlife Service, The Trumpeter Swan Society and the University of Washington (Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit) with assistance from numerous other government and non-government organizations.