Poison-related mortality effects in the endangered Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) population in Spain

Hernández, Mauro; Margalida, Antoni

doi:10.1007/s10344-009-0255-6

Cited by 108 publications

(94 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…The use of poison (mainly cholinesterase inhibiting agricultural insecticides as carbamates and organophosphates) aimed at generalist predators increased when a new disease, pneumonic hemorrhagic virus, reduced wild rabbit populations (Villafuerte et al, 1994;Ferrer and Negro, 2004;Hernández and Margalida, 2009). With a low rabbit density, eagles were forced to explore areas outside the National Park, where they came into contact with poisoned baits.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rescue of a small declining population of Spanish imperial eagles

Ferrer

Newton

Muriel

2013

Biological Conservation

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a b s t r a c tThe Spanish imperial eagle ( Aquila adalberti ) is one of the most endangered raptors in the world. The population of Doñana National Park (south-western Spain) suffered a dramatic decline from 1990 on, after a long period of stability. The high adult mortality due to poisoning was the main cause of the decline, decreasing fecundity and biasing the offspring sex ratio to males due to a higher proportion of non-adult breeders in the population. In face of the imminent extinction, an urgent multi-action conservation plan was implemented in 2004. Supplementary feeding throughout the year with live wild rabbits was undertaken to prevent breeders from foraging outside the National Park and therefore reducing adult mortality by poisoning. Likewise, the population was reinforced with the release of young eagles (mainly females) by hacking techniques. After implementing the plan, the annual adult mortality decreased from 12% in the declining period to 2.1% during the recovery period. The lower adult mortality resulted in a lower population turnover and thus in an increasing average age of breeders (proportion of non-adult plumage decreased from 21.3% to 8.9%). Accordingly, the fecundity recovered to values close to those prior to decline (from 0.6 to 1.3 young/pair) and the sex ratio was balanced again (from 81% to 48% males). In fact, the predicted population persistence increased up to nearly six times after the application of the action plan. Therefore, the conservation actions applied were effective in a relatively short period and made possible the rescue of the threatened population from the extinction vortex..

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rescue of a small declining population of Spanish imperial eagles

Ferrer

Newton

Muriel

2013

Biological Conservation

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“…Here -at least at the time of writing -certain species appeared robust whereas others, such as the bearded vulture (Gyps barbaetus) and Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus), are currently under threat [101,102]. It is noteworthy that, whilst this review was being finalized, the precarious situation of the Egyptian vulture was emerging, with possible remedial action plans under discussion.…”

Section: The Situation In the European Unionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Merging Wildlife and Environmental Monitoring Approaches with Forensic Principles: Application of Unconventional and Non-Invasive Sampling in Eco- Pharmacovigilance

Richards¹

2014

J Forensic Res

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Pharmaceutical residues in the environment have the potential to harm wildlife. A population's fragility or an animal's secretive nature may preclude capture and the use of invasive/destructive sampling techniques that are typically used in a risk assessment. Conventionally favoured matrices gathered opportunistically from carcasses have a finite lifespan, thereby limiting the detection window. This multidisciplinary paper aims to promote the use of non-invasive approaches and optimize use of even the most degraded carcasses. We highlight a selection of promising alternative, unconventional and underutilized sample types that could be applied in environmental monitoring efforts and wildlife forensic investigations. With a focus on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), now under increasing scrutiny in the freshwater and terrestrial environment, we first illustrate current sampling practices and gaps in knowledge by summarizing exposure of: 1) aquatic organisms to urban effluent discharged into waterways, and, 2) scavenging species to veterinary residues in livestock and other carrion. We then consider the merits and limitations of a range of alternative environmentally robust sample options that offer a broader detection interval for NSAIDs, with emphasis on hair, wool and feathers. The viability of eyes/ocular material, bone matter, fecal matter, injection sites, ingesta/pellets and scavenging/coprophagous insects are also discussed.

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“…Other causes of mortality include deliberate and accidental poisoning (Margalida et al 2008, Hernández & Margalida 2009), as well as human persecution (Subedi 2013). Although the production and use of veterinary diclofenac has been banned in Nepal, Pakistan and India since 2006, illegal use of human diclofenac for livestock is still a problem (Cuthbert et al 2011a).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%