Lead Bullet Burden: Widespread Lead Exposure in Wild Carnivores and Unseen Consequences of Feeding Lead-Shot Meat to Captive Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus).

Lead (Pb) exposure is a global concern because of its harmful effects on the environment, animals, and humans. Although research on Pb poisoning in humans and avian species is extensive, similar literature on mammalian carnivores is limited. Only two reports of suspected Pb poisoning in captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) exist, and none in wild cheetahs. We quantified cumulative life exposure to Pb in 62 cheetahs (33 males, 29 females) and 11 (unknown sex) leopards (Panthera pardus). Cheetahs were grouped according to time spent in captivity: wild (>10% of life in the wild) and captive (10-100% of life in captivity); all leopards were wild. Bone lead concentration (BLC) was measured in tibias to assess the effects of time in captivity, age, and sex on Pb exposure. Lead was detected in all cheetah and leopard tibias. Mean BLC was 1.11±1.92 mg/kg for all cheetahs, with a significantly higher mean in captive (1.57±2.25 mg/kg) versus wild (0.27±0.39 mg/kg) cheetahs. Time in captivity had a significant effect on BLC, with BLC increasing with years spent in human care. Wild leopards had a higher BLC than wild cheetahs, with a mean BLC of 1.02±1.56 mg/kg. Higher BLC in captive than wild cheetahs was attributed to Pb exposure from the ammunition used to shoot ungulates for their diet. Increased exposure in wild leopards might be attributable to opportunistic scavenging, a behavior not seen in wild cheetahs. This study highlights the need for non-Pb ammunition options in support of conservation and animal welfare.