Causes of Raptor Admission to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Abruzzo (Central Italy) from 2005–2016

Abstract

The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe the causes of morbidity and mortality in free-ranging raptors admitted to a wildlife rehabilitation center (WRC) in Abruzzo Italy from 2005 to 2016 and the associated risk factors. A total of 2496 free-ranging raptors were included in the study. We analyzed the raptors’ medical records, epidemiological information, bird characteristics, cause of admission, final diagnosis, and outcome. The prevalence rates of nocturnal and diurnal raptors were 49% and 51%, respectively. Nocturnal raptors showed trauma as the primary cause of admission (45.8%, 558/1219), followed by nestling (including birds on their first flight attempt or presumed abandoned by their parents) (39.2%, 478/1219), and starvation (5.6%, 68/1219). Diurnal raptors showed trauma (73.1%, 934/1277), starvation (12.1%, 155/1277), and nestling (5.8%, 74/1277) accordingly. A description of the dangers for wild birds of prey in the Abruzzo region was provided to assist in the planning of rescue and rehabilitation activities in the WRC. Finally, the cause of admission, GAP, and BCS can be used as prognostic factors during the bird entry process.

Trends in Admissions and Outcomes at a British Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre over a Ten-Year Period (2012–2022)

“…Although animal ecology, biology, and behaviour appear to predispose certain species of animals to certain threats [ 16 ], and one might expect some variation in admissions according to the geographical location of the WRC, studies from WRCs across the world showed some common trends. Although there are some differences in the groupings of reasons for admission, ‘orphans’ are numerous in most studies and were the second most common cause for admissions in many studies [ 2 , 12 , 16 , 33 , 67 , 68 ]. The primary reason for admission was frequently some classification of ‘injury ‘or ‘trauma’ or ‘anthropogenic causes’; for example, 34.6% of admissions in Athens, Greece, were classified as an ‘unknown accident’ [ 12 ].…”

“…Trauma also accounted for 27.8% of morbidity in all birds in Gran Canaria, Spain [ 53 ] and 18.14% of morbidity, specifically in seabirds [ 71 ]. Several studies considering raptor admissions alone, in the UK [ 17 , 72 ] and elsewhere [ 64 , 67 , 68 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 ], found trauma to be one of the two most common reasons, alongside orphans, for admissions. Trauma is also commonly cited as a reason for admissions to WRCs for specific species of mammals.…”

“…In common kestrels in the Czech Republic, only 4.96% were reported as exhausted/starved [ 64 ]. Starvation was reported in 5.6% of nocturnal and 12.1% of diurnal birds of prey in central Italy [ 68 ]. In foxes, species where infectious conditions might be expected to be more commonly reported, mange was only seen in 17% of red foxes, 6% had toxoplasmosis, 3% had presumed canine distemper, and 3% of rabies was reported in grey foxes [ 65 ].…”

“…Other species-specific ecology and biology may also result in seasonal variations; for example, admission of debilitated ‘autumn juvenile’ hedgehogs [ 49 , 63 , 96 ], admissions of badgers related to reproductive activity in that species [ 27 ], increased foraging activity, and associated trauma in adult sparrowhawks feeding young [ 72 ]. Hunting, including the use of glue traps, was noted as a seasonal reason (both inside and outside closed seasons) for admissions in some studies in mainland Europe [ 67 , 68 , 75 , 97 ]. Although persecution of birds, in particular birds of prey, occurs in the UK [ 98 ], organised hunting is usually limited to gamebirds and waterfowl during distinct shooting seasons.…”

Diurnal raptors at rescue centres in the Czech Republic: Reasons for admission, outcomes, and length of stay

“…The risk of collisions between raptors and motor vehicles is increased by the fact that some species of raptors feed on the carcasses of animals hit by motor vehicles on highways [29]. Injuries were also reported among the most frequent reasons for the admission of raptors to rescue centres in other studies [30]. Traumatic injuries, not further specified, were the reason for the treatment of 75.80% (402) of raptors admitted to a rescue centre in Greece in the years 1997-2000 [31] and 49% (7,021) of raptors admitted to a rescue centre in Spain [32].…”