Detection and assessment of electrocution in endangered raptors by infrared thermography

BMC Veterinary Research

José Manuel Sánchez-Vizcaíno²  Susana Jato-Sánchez³  María de los Ángeles Jiménez⁴  Irene López³  Olga Nicolás¹  Fernando González³  Mar Melero² 

[1] Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre of Vallcalent, 25003 Lleida, Spain;VISAVET Centre and Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain;GREFA Native Fauna and Their Habitat Rehabilitation Group, 28220 Majadahonda, Spain;Medicine and Surgery Department (Anatomic Pathology), Veterinary School, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain

关键词: Osprey;    Lammergeier;    Spanish imperial eagle;    Bird of prey;    Raptor;    Electrocution;    Thermography;   

Others  :  1119490
DOI  :  10.1186/1746-6148-9-149

 received in 2012-09-24, accepted in 2013-07-17,  发布年份 2013

【 摘 要 】

Background

Most European birds of prey find themselves in a poor state of conservation, with electrocution as one of the most frequent causes of unnatural death. Since early detection of electrocution is difficult, treatment is usually implemented late, which reduces its effectiveness. By considering that electrocution reduces tissue temperature, it may be detectable by thermography, which would allow a more rapid identification. Three individuals from three endangered raptor species [Spanish imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti), Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus) and Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)] were studied thermographically from the time they were admitted to a rehabilitation centre to the time their clinical cases were resolved.

Cases presentation

The three raptors presented lesions lacking thermal bilateral symmetry and were consistent with electrocution of feet, wings and eyes, visible by thermography before than clinically; lesions were well-defined and showed a lower temperature than the surrounding tissue. Some lesions evolved thermally and clinically until the appearance of normal tissue recovered, while others evolved and became necrotic. A histopathological analysis of a damaged finger amputated off a Lammergeier, and the necropsy and histopathology examination of an osprey, confirmed the electrocution diagnosis.

Conclusions

These results suggest that thermography is effective and useful for the objective and early detection and monitoring of electrocuted birds, and that it may prove especially useful for examining live animals that require no amputation or cannot be subjected to invasive histopathology.

【 授权许可】

   
2013 Melero et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

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