Bald Eagles Dying from Lead Poisoning in Michigan

Wildlife rehab center sees surge in lead-poisoned eagles, with two recent deaths

Published on Mar. 3, 2026

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A wildlife rehabilitation center in Eaton Rapids, Michigan has taken in four bald eagles with lead poisoning in less than a month, with two of the birds already dying from the toxic heavy metal. The center says a lead fragment the size of a grain of rice can be lethal to a mature bald eagle, and that lead ammunition left in the field is the primary cause of exposure.

Why it matters

Bald eagles are a protected species in the U.S., and their population has been steadily recovering in Michigan after being endangered. However, this recent spike in lead poisoning cases highlights an ongoing threat to the species and the need to address the use of lead ammunition to prevent further deaths.

The details

The Wildside Rehabilitation and Education Center in Eaton Rapids, Michigan has taken in four bald eagles with lead poisoning since late January. Two of the eagles have already died, with one weighing only 5 pounds and starving to death as the lead poisoning shut down its system. The center says the lead test results for the eagles were so high that their machines couldn't even read the levels. The latest eagle admitted appears to be a female, with her mate remaining nearby during the rescue.

  • In late January, the center took in an eagle that died from lead poisoning.
  • In early February, another eagle died from lead poisoning.
  • On February 22, the center took in an eagle from Carson City that is still fighting to recover.
  • On February 24, the center took in its fourth lead-poisoned eagle in less than a month.

The players

Wildside Rehabilitation and Education Center

A wildlife rehabilitation center in Eaton Rapids, Michigan that has seen a surge in bald eagles suffering from lead poisoning.

American Eagle Foundation

A nonprofit organization that has found that up to 47% of bald eagles and 46% of golden eagles show signs of chronic lead poisoning, with up to 35% suffering from acute lead poisoning, often from lead ammunition left in the field.

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What they’re saying

“I know these posts seem negative lately and are a complete bummer. Hopefully soon we will have more positive posts, but this is reality. Four Bald Eagles in less than a month with lead poisoning. It's a problem, an issue we as humans have to change, make a difference.”

— Wildside Rehabilitation and Education Center (Facebook)

“She is in horrible condition, we will do all we can, but she needs all the prayers she can get. People do care... one person called about her, another person captured her, a third person drove over an hour to get her to us... it takes a village.”

— Wildside Rehabilitation and Education Center (Facebook)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This spike in lead poisoning cases among bald eagles in Michigan highlights an ongoing threat to the species' recovery and the need for stronger regulations around the use of lead ammunition to prevent further deaths and protect this iconic American bird.