Mercury contents in liver and kidneys of wild boar (Sus scrofa) and red deer (Cervus elaphus)Der Quecksilbergehalt der Leber und Nieren von Wildschweinen (Sus scrofa) und Rotwild (Cervus elaphus)

The presence of mercury in human and animal tissues and organs is an indication of environmental mercury pollution from both natural and anthropogenic sources. Two game species, the wild boar and the red deer, were tested to ascertain their usefulness as bioindicators of environmental mercury pollution. The study analysed livers and kidneys of wild boar and red deer shot in Poland (in the District of Western Pomerania) during the 2000/2001 hunting season (October–January). Livers and kidneys were collected 14 wild boar and 6 red deer immediately after they had been shot. The liver mercury contents were found to exceed the allowed level (0.05 mg/kg wet weight) in three wild boars, the kidneys of 13 animals contained mercury at above the permitted levels. The mercury contents of the red deer liver and kidney were low. As both the wild boar and the red deer were shot in the same area, it is likely that mercury contamination of the body depends not only on the ambient pollution level, but is also species-specific. Therefore, not every animal species can be used as a mercury pollution bioindicator.