Zoun PEF †
† Central Institute for Animal Disease Control, Department
of Bacteriology and TSEs, Lelystad, The Netherlands
In the period between 1999-2003, 1901 wild animals (524 raptors, 1181 other
birds, 107 mammals and 89 fishes) were examined for the cause of death. For
this purpose, we only accept animals that have been submitted by Governmental
Agencies. Investigations concentrated on the tracing of infringements of laws
and the diagnosis of waterfowl botulism.
Upon arrival, the animals were examined
for gross lesions, in some cases followed by making an X-ray-photograph to
detect shot. If anamnesis and autopsy suggested intoxication, animals were
investigated further to confirm poisoning and/or to detect the pesticide involved.
For this purpose, selected samples (gizzard- or stomach contents, etc.) were
subjected to chemical analysis.
About twenty two percent of the animals investigated
appeared to be poisoned (229 raptors, 142 other birds, 39 mammals and no fishes).
Eighty four percent of the poisoned raptors, especially buzzard (Buteo buteo)
and goshawk (Accipiter gentiles), were victims of poisoned bait; for other
birds (mainly corvines and pigeons) this was 67 % and for mammals, mainly foxes
(Vulpes vulpes) and stonemartens (Martes foina) 97 %. In five cases, raptors
died from secondary poisoning by eating intentionally poisoned seed-eating
birds. Only 1 % of the intoxications appeared to be the result of misuse or
approved uses of pesticides. In the remaining cases the source of poisoning
could not be detected.
Pesticides most frequently involved were parathion (38
%) and aldicarb (37 %). Within the investigation period, year to year variations
of percentages intentionally poisoned animals, related to the total number
of examined animals, were relative small.
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