Specie-Specific Outcomes of Wild Raptors Attended at a Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Catalonia (1997-2005)

Abstract

Outcome research of rehabilitation of wild birds of prey and owls are scarcely reported. The aim of this study is to investigate specie-specific outcomes of the rehabilitation practice in wild raptor attended in a wildlife center. A total of 6221 hospitalized wild raptors (3241 Strigiformes; 2980 Falconiformes) admitted at a Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre (WRC) of Catalonia from 1995 to 2007 were analysed. The outcomes indicators were based on ratios of Euthanasia (E r ), Mortality (M r ), Release (R r ) and Captivity (C r ). Stratified analyses by main causes of admission were performed for the different raptor species. Species from the Falconiformes order presented higher rates of euthanasia (33.9%) compared to the Strigiformes (18.6%). Species like B. buteo (45.7%) and M. migrans (47.6%) in the Falconiformes and B. bubo (33.6%) in the Strigiformes, presented the highest E r . Despite no differences between orders could be observed in the row mortality rates, data analysed by the causes of admission showed that the M r of owls was significant higher than the Falconiformes for the trauma (13.2%; χ 2 = 49.97; p<0.001), non trauma (12.7%; χ 2 = 17.41; p<0.001) and orphaned young categories (4.9%; χ 2 = 5.4; p = 0.02). The release rate was similar between orders. Based on species, G. fulvus (69.2%), C. aeruginosus (56.3%) and A. gentillis (43.1%) in the Falconiformes and O. scops (48.5%) in the Strigiformes showed the highest R r . In the orphaned young category owls had better R r than the diurnal raptors, being S. aluco the specie with the best rates of release (84%), whereas B. bubo had the worst values (50%). Specie-specific differences were found in the rehabilitation outcomes according to the different causes of admission. The stratified analysis of outcomes can be useful in order to to identify specie-specific risk factors.

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

“…Thus, a group of 'orphaned young' raptors comprised all chicks found orphaned in the wild, and a second group of 'adults' comprised the remaining animals. The classification of primary morbidity causes in this study, the criteria for sex and age determination, and the geographical and demographical characteristics of the study population have been previously described (Molina-L opez et al 2011;Molina-L opez et al 2014). The final outcomes were categorized into four entities as previously described by Cooper (1987): released, unassisted mortality, euthanized and kept in captivity.…”

Plasma biochemistry RIs and age effect in European Strigiformes

“…In the Iberian Peninsula, the Strigiformes order is represented by 8 different species: Eagle owl ( Bubo bubo ), Tawny owl ( Strix aluco ), Long‐eared owl ( Asio otus ), Short‐eared owl ( Asio flammeus ), Little owl ( Athene noctua ), Scops owl ( Otus scops ), Tengmalm′s owl ( Aegoluis funereus ), and Barn owl ( Tyto alba ). The presence of these animals in urban environments exposes them to numerous threats, such as the poaching of young birds, road accidents, poisonings, and collisions with electric power structures making them common patients at wildlife recovery centers . Blood biochemistry and hematology analysis in birds are clinically important because it provides an evaluation of nutritional and health status, and it is the basis for the laboratory diagnosis of disease.…”

“…The presence of these animals in urban environments exposes them to numerous threats, such as the poaching of young birds, road accidents, poisonings, and collisions with electric power structures making them common patients at wildlife recovery centers. 1 Blood biochemistry and hematology analysis in birds are clinically important because it DOI: 10.1111/vcp.12559 provides an evaluation of nutritional and health status, and it is the basis for the laboratory diagnosis of disease. Additionally, in wildlife conservation, blood biochemistry can help identifying the predominant health issues affecting natural populations.…”

Hematologic reference intervals and age effect in European Strigiformes

“…Strigiformes comprise a large percentage of rehabilitated wild birds in wildlife rehabilitation centers. The eventual aims of many of these programs are to rehabilitate individual raptors and to breed endangered species with the goal of releasing them into their original environment …”

“…The eventual aims of many of these programs are to rehabilitate individual raptors and to breed endangered species with the goal of releasing them into their original environment. 1 Hematologic analysis in birds and mammals is a frequently used laboratory profile for the diagnostic workup and definition of treatment plans for individuals to be released. Therefore, the availability of hematologic RIs determined according to recommended guidelines for as many wild bird species as possible is important for clinicians.…”