Research Question Does age increase the likely hood of being poisoned by lead? Do males or female Condors have a higher chance of being poisoned by lead.

IntroductionThroughout the animal world individuals typically live or move together in groups such as deer in herds, or lions in a pride. Sometimes its only during a specific time of year that theses individuals come together. However, there is a great benefit to living or socializing in groups, it can provide protection from predators, an increase in production of food, and increase in survival of young. But there are also negatives in being in a group. If everyone eats or drinks from the same source than there is a higher chance of being harmed from said source.

Technology, Materials, and MethodsTechnology used: computer, data from zooniverse and excel spreadsheet.

Materials needed: Computer with internet access and excel program.

Methods

Subjects were observed from pictures that were taken at feeding sites, with motion censored cameras. Researchers placed carcasses at theses feeding sites, that are not contaminated with lead. This was done to observe their feeding behaviors and provide with a safe feeding opportunity. Along with creating more of a controlled environment to observe the animals in the wild. The experiment was designed to observe condors in the wild and to make a connection between their social behavior and lead poisoning. Along with which gender (male vs female) and age group (adult vs juvenile), are more likely to be killed by lead poison.

Acknowledgments A thanks to Zooniverse for providing the information to perform the project and a big thanks to everyone working on the Condor watch project.

Finding’s: Are based off a 59 specimen sample size, all of the birds have been in contact with lead and or have been poisoned at one point in their life. Conclusions and Implications

The data support that the likely hood of being poisoned does increase with age. As figure 3 shows, adult males and females are 22% more likely to be poisoned and therefore, possibly killed by lead. Figure 3, also show that males are more likely to be poisoned than females no matter the age. Condor’s are social animals and do feed in family or social groups. As we know with species that live in groups, there is always competition and a hierarchy. The dominant more aggressive animal feeds first, this would be adult males, than the adult females and lastly the juveniles. Between the juveniles the males are more aggressive or dominant and therefore will feed before the juvenile females.

Condors feed on carcasses, most typically ones that have been hunted, but they will eat ones that have died naturally or taken down by a predator as well. The reason is that there are typically easier to get to and they do not have to fight with another species to feed. Since it is the dominant animal that easts first they go after a section that has been torn or has an opening (less work for them). Most of the time that is also where a bullet has entered or exited the carcasses. This is how they are poisoned, which is why it is very important for their survival to have restrictions on hunting in certain areas.

The data also indicated that there are more females than males Condors. From the data collected it could be said that it is due to lead poisoning. But without more information and further research this cannot yet be proven to be true. For this research to be even more sound, further observations and evidence will need to be collected and analyzed. Data analysis

Figure 1 above shows the relationship between adult condors and lead poisoning. Males are 28% more likely to be killed by lead poisoning than females.

Figure 2 above shows a similar relationship but in juveniles, and males are 14% more likely to be killed by lead poisoning.

Due to condors not only eating lead free carcasses, but they also eat carcasses that have lead. This is why every condor in the wild shown above has been poisoned with lead. In captivity this of course is not going to happen, but if they are released into the wild they have a fairly high chance of being poisoned.

Literature CitedCalifornia Condor Recovery Program, (2015, August 26). Retrieved October 21, 2015 from http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/nongame/t_e_spp/condor/

Condor Watch. (n.d). Retrieved October 22, 2015, From htpp://www.condorwatch.org/

HS.Interdependant Relationships in Ecosystems; Next Generation Science Standards. (n.d). Retrieved October 24, 2015, from http://www. Nextgenerationcience.org/hsls-ire-interdependent-relationships-ecosystems

Background: Gymnogyps californianusCalifornia condors used to be found throughout the United

States, but due to human presence their population has severely decreased. This is due to hunting, environmental contamination, DDT contamination, poisoned bait and lead poisoning from carcasses after being shot. Lead poisoning is the number one killer of condors in the wild. California has put a restriction on the use of lead in specific areas they are known to be Condors hunting grounds.

Condor Watch: Lead Poisoning By: Ashley Avey

Date: 10/29/15Scientific Research Project

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Standard(s) Connection:This research project connects to the Next Generation Science Standards by providing a way for students to learn valuable skills, in

creating a research project, collecting data and analyzing that data. HS-LS2-8. Evaluate the evidence for the role of group behavior on individual and species’ chances to survive and reproduce. This standard connects to the Condor project, because I am looking at their behaviors in relation to lead poisoning. The younger juvenile birds and females are going to have a better survival rate than males or older birds. The reason is that males and older adults are the first to eat due to the pecking order and dominance. The second NGSS standard that connect to the Condor project is HS-LS2-2 Use mathematical representations to support and revise explanations based on evidence about factors affecting biodiversity and populations in ecosystems of different scales. The crosscutting concepts that correlate with the Condor project is “cause and effect”. The effect is death and being poisoned and the cause is due to lead from carcasses. The data collected shows this connection and the connection between social behavior (gender and age) of the birds. Also, RST.11-12.8 which is from Common core standards fit with this research as well. By evaluating and analyzing the data, and writing a conclusion about the data and the findings. MP.4 is also from the Common core and by creating models of the data that was recorded for this project, MP.4 is also met.