Abstract
BackgroundVariability in reporting and classification methods in previous published data of the final dispositions in the rehabilitation of wild raptors makes use of this data limited in trying to audit the quality of the rehabilitation process. Crude as well as stratified disposition rates are needed if quality auditing of the rehabilitation process is to be adequately performed.MethodologyFinal dispositions of 6221 hospitalized wild raptors admitted at a wildlife rehabilitation centre (WRC) of Catalonia during 1995–2007 were analyzed. These dispositions were calculated as the euthanasia (Er), unassisted mortality (Mr), release (Rr) and captivity rates (Cr)., time to death (Td) for dead and euthanized raptors, and length of stay for released (Tr) raptors was estimated. Stratified analyses by main causes of admission and clinical signs were performed.ResultsThe disposition for the total population were: Er = 30.6%, Mr = 19.1%, Rr = 47.2%, and Cr = 3%. By main causes of admission, Er was higher in the trauma category (34.2%), whereas Mr was found similar between trauma (37.4%) and non-trauma categories (34.8%). The highest Rr was observed for the orphaned group (77.9%). Furthermore, Cr was low in all the categories (<4%). By clinical signs, the highest Er was found in animals suffering musculoskeletal (37.9%) or skin (32.3%) lesions; Mr was high in infectious/parasitic diseases (66.7%) and in case of neurological symptoms (64.5%). The euthanized birds had a median Td = 1 day (P10 = 0-P90 = 59) for both trauma and non-trauma categories, and Td = 36 days for the orphaned young group (P10 = 0; P90 = 596). The median Td in the unassisted dead birds was 2 days for all the categories (P10 = 0-P90 = 31). Finally, the median Tr in the centre was variable among categories.Conclusions/SignificanceReporting of final dispositions in wildlife rehabilitation should include the crude and stratified rates (Er, Mr, Rr, and Cr), by causes and clinical presentation, as well as Td and Tr, to allow meaningful auditing of the rehabilitation process quality.
Highlights
Rehabilitation of wild raptors is a complex process that includes both veterinary care of the injured bird and physical recovery and reconditioning of this animal for subsequent release in the wild [1]
By main causes of admission, euthanasia rate (Er) was higher in the trauma category (34.2%), whereas mortality rate (Mr) was found similar between trauma (37.4%) and nontrauma categories (34.8%)
The highest release rate (Rr) was observed for the orphaned group (77.9%)
Summary
Rehabilitation of wild raptors is a complex process that includes both veterinary care of the injured bird and physical recovery and reconditioning of this animal for subsequent release in the wild [1]. The final dispositions of the rehabilitation cases are commonly summarized or briefly described [12,13,14], but a stratified analysis by causes of the final disposition is rarely reported. This kind of analysis is crucial for building an evidence base for wildlife rehabilitation medicine and management. Some clinical practice guidelines have been published which deal with welfare rehabilitation standards [18] and pre-release health screening protocols [19] but no quality indicators of the rehabilitation process have been defined. Crude as well as stratified disposition rates are needed if quality auditing of the rehabilitation process is to be adequately performed
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