The Wildlife Center of Virginia says it has treated two bald eagles with lead poisoning in recent weeks.
The nonprofit center in Waynesboro says the birds were probably sickened by lead bullet fragments left in discarded entrails of deer and other animals.
The center's president, Ed Clark, said that the lead poisoning cases coincide with the state's deer hunting season.
Besides the eagles, other birds suffering from lead poisoning include a red-tailed hawk and a black vulture.
Scientists say lead is highly toxic to birds, especially bald eagles.
One hunting group said it doubts an eagle would descend upon carrion before a vulture.
The Wildlife Center treats injured animals found in the wild and nurses them back to health.
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