title: Detection and assessment of electrocution in endangered raptors by infrared thermography.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors.affiliation: VISAVET Centre and Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain. mar.melero@sanidadanimal.info
authors.forename: Mar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Melero
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Nicolás
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: López
authors.forename: María de Los Ángeles
authors.initials: Mde L
authors.lastname: Jiménez
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jato-Sánchez
authors.forename: José Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Vizcaíno
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020307:Eagles / Q000293:injuries; D004556:Electric Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D056727:Endangered Species; D046093:Falconiformes / Q000293:injuries; D005260:Female; D007259:Infrared Rays; D008297:Male; D020304:Raptors / Q000293:injuries*; D013817:Thermography / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*