Shotgun pellets found in sick Calif. condor


March 15, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A California condor brought to the Los Angeles Zoo for treatment of lead poisoning was found to have shotgun pellets embedded in its body.

Zoo curator of birds Susie Kasielke says the bird’s prognosis is guarded and it is essentially in intensive care.

Giant California condors are an endangered species.

The Ventana Wildlife Society says the bird was captured on the central California coast March 4 and brought to Los Angeles the next day. Zoo officials said Friday an X-ray revealed the shotgun pellets.

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