Causes of Raptor Admissions to a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Tenerife (Canary Islands)

Abstract

ABSTRACT.-We studied the causes of raptor admissions to the only wildlife rehabilitation center on the largest island of the Canarian Archipelago (Tenerife) over ten years (1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007). A total of 2611 birds of prey, belonging to nine falconiform diurnal raptor and four strigiform species, were admitted. The Eurasian Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) and the Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) were the species most commonly admitted and jointly made up 85.6% of admissions. The most frequent causes of admission to the wildlife rehabilitation center were collisions (with cars, high-voltage electric transmission towers, etc.; 42.2%), starvation (5.1%) and entanglement in glue traps intended for rodents (4.7%). Poisoning and shooting were recorded for 2.4 and 1.5% of the birds admitted, respectively. Only collisions increased during the study period. A total of 1010 birds (44.4% of the total) were released to the wild following rehabilitation. We recommend more financial support for rehabilitation centers to develop detailed analytical diagnoses and rehabilitation services.

Final Disposition and Quality Auditing of the Rehabilitation Process in Wild Raptors Admitted to a Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Catalonia, Spain, during a Twelve Year Period (1995–2007)

“…The overall release rate of trauma cases was 24.3% (ranging from 1% of electrocution cases to 61.5% of birds suffering impacts with buildings). The release rates of gunshot, collision with vehicles and unknown trauma were very similar to those previously reported [14], [37], [38], being under 35% in all cases. On the other hand, the permanent captivity rate differs and needs special consideration.…”

“…On the other hand, the final dispositions of the rehabilitation cases are commonly summarized or briefly described [12]–[14], but a stratified analysis by causes of the final disposition is rarely reported. This kind of analysis is crucial for building an evidence base for wildlife rehabilitation medicine and management.…”

Shooting is still a main threat for raptors inhabiting urban and suburban areas of Rome, Italy

“…The hard impact of birds on windows is well documented (Hager et al 2008) and collisions with cars is considered the current main cause of mortality for birds (Pons 2000), with millions of individuals killed every year (Erritzoe et al 2003). Our findings comply with most other studies which have analysed admission causes for raptors at wildlife rehabilitation centres by determining that collision with human-made structures is the main admission cause for raptors inhabiting urban and suburban habitats (Wendell et al 2002;Rodríguez & Rodríguez 2010;Molina-López et al 2011). Several studies suggest that weaker, sick and poisoned birds can be more vulnerable to road collisions, suggesting the presence of underlying causes which can increase the probability of collision (Valkiunas 1998;Mineau et al 1999;Müller et al 2007).…”

Prognostic indicators associated with early mortality of wild raptors admitted to a wildlife rehabilitation centre in Spain

“…Despite the main objectives of wildlife rehabilitation, the improvement of rehabilitation protocols has allowed a better clinical recovery of patients, and also an improvement in the welfare of captive wild animals (Hern andez 1992;Cousquer 2005). However, outcomes in wildlife rehabilitation have been poor, with release rates lower than 50% reported in the majority of published studies (Kirkwood 2003;Ress & Guyer 2004;Rodr ıguez et al 2010;Molina-L opez et al 2013).…”