Arizona's largest Indigenous tribe has joined an effort that aims to prevent scavenging animals from suffering lead poisoning from eating the remains of animals shot by hunters.
The Navajo Nation's Department of Fish and Wildlife is now the 50th partner of the North American Non-lead Partnership, a group founded by The Peregrine Fund, the Oregon Zoo and the Institute for Wildlife Studies in 2018. The group works with hunters to minimize effects on scavenging wildlife, particularly by encouraging the use of lead-free ammunition.
Chris Parish, CEO of The Peregrine Fund and co-founder of the partnership, said in a news release that the addition of the Navajo Nation to the group will help with "pursuing a sustainable and active future for hunters that allows the continued harvest of valuable food while caring for the entire landscape."
Eagles, hawks, turkey vultures and California condors (pictured) are among the animals often affected by lead ammunition, according to the news release.