[Recommendations for the veterinary care and assessment of bird of prey collections].
Legislation from a new regulation of the Federal Nature Conservation Act that became effective on March 1, 2010 requires a written program for veterinary prophylaxis, treatment and nutrition for zoo and animal collections. As a result of this act, veterinary care is now obligatory for all captive birds of prey kept within either private or commercial collections, independent on the number of birds involved. The legal requirements of the Act will shortly be introduced and recommendations for the veterinary care of bird of prey collections are provided. Firstly, risk assessment of different husbandry systems (falconry birds, show birds, breeding stock, rehabilitation) is performed and veterinary care programs are provided based upon these assessments. Additionally, instructions for anamnestic ascertainments, work flow, feeding, quarantine, cleaning and disinfection procedures as well as prophylactic measures such as vaccination are provided. As husbandry, in particular the size and equipment of cages is important for the health and welfare of the birds, species specific housing, care and protection measures are also discussed. Veterinarians will be able to refer to these guidelines and can use them in the future for collection management.
Prof. Dr. M. Lierz, Klinik für Vögel, Reptilien, Amphibien und Fische der Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Frankfurter Straße 91-93, 35392 Gießen, E-Mail: michael.lierz@vetmed.uni-giessen.de.
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Lierz
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Hafez
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Korbel
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Krautwald-Junghanns
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Kummerfeld
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Hartmann
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Richter