The detection and interpretation of contaminants in tissues of wildlife belongs to the field of toxicology, a scientific discipline with a long, intriguing, and illustrious history. Concern over poisoning of wildlife began in the late nineteenth century, and initially focused more on identifying environmental problems than determining contaminant concentrations in tissues. Endpoint measurements were characterized for sensitivity, specificity, variability, clarity of interpretation, validity, and applicability to field sampling. The use of stable isotopes to identify the environmental source of a metal is a recent development in the field of wildlife toxicology. The chemical forms of Mercury may be changed within some organs (e.g., demethylation by liver), further complicating interpretation of wildlife tissue concentrations. The field of wildlife toxicology has been shaped by chemical use and misuse, ecological mishaps, and research in the allied field of human toxicology. The development and use of new chemicals, and unexpected and unpredicted contamination problems continue to drive this discipline.
