Cases of wild bird poisoning in Croatia in 2018 – 2019 generated a new approach of wild bird protection

Autor: Tišljar, Marina, Brzica, Stjepan, Krivohlavek, Adela, Severin, Krešimir, Bakulić, Lana, Šimpraga, Borka, Krstulović, Fani, Capak, Hrvoje, Bezbradica Cukrov, Slavena, Lucić, Vedran, Modrić, Marko, Šerić Jelaska, Lucija, Savić, Vladimir, Beck, Relja, Jurinović, Luka, Amšel Zelenika, Tajana
Přispěvatelé: Ozimec, Siniša, Bogut, Irena, Bogdanović, Tomislav, Jurčević Agić, Ivančica, Rožac, Vlatko, Stević, Filip, Popović, Željko, Bolšec, Boris, Vereš, Marija
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2019
Předmět:
Popis: INTRODUCTION During the years 2010 –2019 a pathomorphological survey into the causes of death of wild birds in Croatia has been made (Laboratory of Pathology, Croatian Veterinary Institute /CVI/, Poultry Centre /PC/, Zagreb). A total of 6638 birds wereexamined, and in 335 (5, 05%) wild birds of various species a probable or a definite cause of death was established. In spite ofthe anamnestic data and pathomorphological changes strongly suggesting intoxication, in the period 2010 – 2017, toxicological tests confirmed intoxication in only 26 (9, 48%) cases. At the beginning of 2018, two cases of massive acute poisoning with carbamate insecticides were successfully solved by the joint work of veterinary experts (CVI, PC, Zagreb) and toxicologists (Forensic Science Center Ivan Vucetic, Zagreb). The collaboration continued, and in the same year, the poisoning was confirmed in 31 (65, 95%) out of 47 wild birds. That year, in only one case the toxicological examination could not be done in spite of suspicion of poisoning. MATERIAL AND METHODS In May 2018, an initiative to bring together official institutions and non- governmental organizations, in organized work to combat wildlife poisoning in Croatia was proposed (as part of Balkan Anti-Poisoning Project /by Association BIOM and Vulture Conservation Foundation/). Two meetings on poison control were held in 2018, and one in 2019, as a part of the project and the expert basis for the Griffon Vulture National Action Plan. In 2019, members of the National Poison Control Task Force (established in 2018) have been on two international study tours to acquire expertise in pathology, forensics and toxicology in wildlife poisoning cases. Based on a two-year systematic search and investigation of the causes and deaths of griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) (collaboration between the Public Institution Priroda, Rijeka, and CVI, PC, Zagreb), in almost 40% of birds in which death was caused by traumatic injuries, electrocution or drowning, chronic heavy metal poisoning (e.g.lead) was confirmed. And therefore: 1) Toxicological analysisof sick and dead wild birds is not dependent on the primary diagnosis / cause of death: in order to increase the degree of protection of the entire ecosystem, it is always NECESSARY. 2) Education on the causes of death and subsequent actions when dead birds (and other animals) are found, can save humanhealth and lives (Protocol for the crime scene investigation process and the Regulation on handling and sampling of samples for forensic examination related to the suspicion animal poisoning and environmental pollution). Key words: wild birds, Croatia, poisoning, pathology, forensics, toxicology Form of presentation: poster
Databáze: OpenAIRE