The numerous violations of rules to protect snowy plovers at local beaches attests to the fact that not everyone is one with nature.

Another demonstration of that concept was reported last week, when biologists captured an ailing Central Coast condor and took it to the Los Angeles Zoo.

The giant bird was suffering from lead poisoning 7 the kind that killed gunfighters a century ago in the wild, wild West.

X-rays showed shotgun pellets buried in the bird/s flesh, but biologists believe the lead poisoning is the result of the creature consuming lead bullet fragments from a carcass left behind by a hunter.

Two things hunters in California need to know: One, shooting a condor is against the law, the violation of which could cost you a bundle and even put you behind bars.

Two, you can/t use lead-based bullets when you/re hunting in condor territory, which is just about everywhere along the coastal range.

It/s difficult to imagine what/s going on in the brain of a person who would deliberately shoot a condor 7 assuming that person actually has a functioning brain.

March 18, 2009