Mortality Threats to Birds - Lead Paint on Midway Atoll

The world's largest colony of Laysan Albatrosses breeds on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, where hundreds of thousands come ashore each year to breed. This remarkable spectacle has become marred in recent years by poisoned birds dying of starvation and dehydration. Lead-based paint is peeling from more than 90 aging buildings, and eaten by curious albatross chicks. The chicks soon develop a condition known as droopwing, whereby they are unable to lift their developing wings off the ground. As many as 10,000 chicks are dying this way each year.

The Fish and Wildlife Service initially experimented with trying to prevent the chicks from eating the paint by encasing the lower parts of the buildings in burlap and fencing off areas. However, this proved ineffective, because the birds readily crossed the barriers.

The only viable solution appears to be removal of the paint, the total cost of which, including sifting of sand around the buildings to remove fallen paint chips, is $5.6 million. Despite this seemingly high price tag, it equates to just $56 for every bird saved over the next ten years.

ABC has engaged other members of the Bird Conservation Alliance and the public in a campaign to secure this funding. ABC is pressuring the federal government to honor its commitment to the recently dedicated Northwest Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument, including pushing for appropriations for lead paint removal and remediation of other factors impacting the survival of Midway's albatrosses, such as invasive plant species.

In March 2006, First Lady, Laura Bush, visited Midway (photo left by Diana Leone, Honolulu Star-Bulletin) and expressed her concern and support for the lead paint cleanup. ABC is hopeful that this visit by the First Lady will expedite the allocation of funds to this urgently needed clean-up, which will save the lives of thousands of albatrosses and make the Northwest Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument a true environmental showpiece.

Further threat to albatrosses on Midway: Click here for more information on verbesina.

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