Lead in the Red-Crowned Cranes (Grus japonensis) in Zhalong Wetland, Northeastern China: A Report

  • Jinming Luo
  • Yajie Ye
  • Zhongyan Gao
  • Wenfeng Wang
  • Barry K. Hartup
Article
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

The dietary uptake of Cd and Pb may contribute to the decline of migratory red-crowned cranes (Grus japonensis) on the Asian mainland. To uncover the relevance of this hypothesis, we determined the concentrations of Pb and Cd as well as further macro and trace elements (Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Hg and As) in the gastric contents, gastric wall, intestinal wall, liver, kidney, muscle, and feathers of two individuals found dead in Zhalong Wetland in Northeastern China. Indeed, the Pb concentrations in the liver and kidney tissues was with 31.4 and 60.3 mg kg−1 dry weight (dw), respectively, above concentrations considered as potentially toxic level in common birds (i.e. 30 mg kg−1). These Pb concentration may have possibly been associated with lethal toxicosis in this endangered species suggesting Pb as major threat for G. japonensis populations. Thus, the inputs of Pb into Zhalong Wetland should be reduced to maintain and reestablish environmental conditions supporting the population development of these migratory red-crowned cranes in the Zhalong Wetland, a critical crane habitat for the long-term sustainability of this species.

Keywords

Red-crowned crane Stomach content Tissue concentration Toxic effect 
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Notes

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Heilongjiang provincial nature fund under Grant No. C2016058.

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2016

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Department of ScienceQiqihar UniversityQiqiharPeople’s Republic of China
  2. 2.Zhalong National Natural ReserveQiqiharPeople’s Republic of China
  3. 3.International Crane FoundationBarabooUSA

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