A retrospective study of presentation, treatment, and outcome of free-ranging raptors in Greece (1997-2000).
A retrospective study was conducted on free-ranging raptors (n = 402) presented to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, during a 3-yr period (1997-2000). Representatives of 19 species were admitted from taxonomic orders Accipitriformes (n = 295), Falconiformes (n = 35), and Strigiformes (n = 72). Traumatic injuries (n = 305, 75.8%) were the most common cause of presentation in all raptors. Starvation (n = 38 birds, 9.4%) was the second most common reason, whereas toxicoses (n = 28, 6.9%) were suspected in a limited number of birds. Orphans (n = 31, 7.7%) were presented during breeding season primarily because of inappropriate human intervention. Surgical and medical treatment was given to all birds when necessary. In total, 229 (56.9%) of the presented raptors were successfully rehabilitated and released, 121 (30%) were rehabilitated but nonreleasable, whereas 52 (12.9%) of them died despite treatment. Human intervention (79.2%) plays the most important role in birds of prey morbidity and mortality.
Komnenou
A Th
AT
Department of Clinical Studies, Clinic of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, St. Voutyra 11, Thessaloniki 546-27, Greece.
Georgopoulou
I
I
Savvas
I
I
Dessiris
A
A
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000254:growth & development; D000835:Animals, Wild; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D046093:Falconiformes; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D008297:Male; D020304:Raptors; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012621:Seasons; D013045:Species Specificity; D013217:Starvation / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D020305:Strigiformes; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000662:veterinary*