Admission Causes, Morbidity, and Outcomes in Scavenger Birds in the North of Portugal (2005–2022)

Portugal is the habitat of three species of vultures. According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, <i>Neophron percnopterus</i> is an Endangered species, <i>Aegypius monachus</i> is nearly Threatened, and <i>Gyps fulvus</i> is of Least Concern. This study...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Andreia Garcês, Isabel Pires, Roberto Sargo, Luís Sousa, Justina Prada, Filipe Silva
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-06-01
Series:Animals
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/13/2093
Description
Summary:Portugal is the habitat of three species of vultures. According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, <i>Neophron percnopterus</i> is an Endangered species, <i>Aegypius monachus</i> is nearly Threatened, and <i>Gyps fulvus</i> is of Least Concern. This study aims to investigate the admission causes, morbidity, and outcomes of vultures admitted to a wildlife rehabilitation centre and necropsy service in Northern Portugal. Over 17 years (2005–2022), 84 animals were admitted: 10 <i>A. monachus</i>, 69 <i>G. fulvus</i>, and 5 <i>N. percnopterus</i>. The main causes of admission to the centre were 80% (<i>n</i> = 63) unknown cause, 13% (<i>n</i> = 10) found debilitated, 6 % (<i>n</i> = 5) vehicle collision, 4% (<i>n</i> = 3) captivity, 1% (<i>n</i> = 1) gunshot, and 1% (<i>n</i> = 1) electrocution. Most animals were admitted during the summer (45.2%) and autumn (36.9%). Analysis of outcome data showed that 73% (<i>n</i> = 58) of the animals that arrived alive at the centre could be rehabilitated and released back into the wild. Thirteen animals died during treatment and five were found dead. This is the first time that such a lengthy study of results and mortality has been carried out for these species in Portugal. Although the data are limited, they can already provide some information about these populations, particularly for the endangered species that are so rare to observe.
ISSN:2076-2615