Detection of Falculifer sp. mites in eagles in rehabilitation cage of Bali Wildlife Rescue Center

Abstract

Eagle is one of the many raptors were rescued by the Bali Wildlife Rescue Centre. This institution is a non-profit conservation institution in Indonesia. The salvated eagles were obtained from confiscated proceeds from the Bali Natural Resources Conservation Centre (BKSDA). Health checks such as ectoparasite examination on eagles are important to maintain the quality of life. This study was aimed to identify the presence of ectoparasites in several eagle species in Bali Wildlife Rescue Centre/PPS Bali. The study was conducted from June to September 2019. Feather samples were taken from 15 caged eagles, including six Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus), one Changeable Hawk-eagle (Spizaetus cirrhatus), three White-bellied Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster), one Grey-headed Fish Eagle (Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus), and four Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela). The eagle feather samples were examined at the Denpasar Veterinary Investigation Center/BBVet for the presence of ectoparasites. This research was an observative study and the data obtained were analysed descriptively. The result showed that eight samples (two Crested Serpent Eagle, two White-bellied Sea Eagle, two Changeable Hawk-eagle, one Brahminy Kite, and one Grey-headed Fish Eagle) were found to be positively infected with mite external parasites from all examined eagles. These mites were identified belong to Arachnid class, the Astigmata order, the Falculiferidae family, and the genus Falculifer sp.