RT Journal Article
T1 Detection and assessment of electrocution in endangered raptors by infrared thermography
A1 Melero Asensio, Mar
A1 González, Fernando
A1 Nicolás, Olga
A1 López, Irene
A1 Jiménez Martínez, María de los Ángeles
A1 Jato Sánchez, Susana
A1 Sánchez-Vizcaíno Rodríguez, José Manuel
AB BACKGROUNDMost 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.CASES PRESENTATIONThe 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.CONCLUSIONSThese 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.
PB BioMedCentral
SN 1746-6148
YR 2013
FD 2013-07-23
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/35290
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/35290
LA eng
DS Docta Complutense
RD 19 abr 2025