Open AccessA long-term retrospective study on rehabilitation of seabirds in Gran Canaria Island, Spain (2003-2013)
Author(s) -
Natalia Montesdeoca,
Pascual Calabuig,
Juan Alberto Corbera,
Jorge Orós
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0177366
Subject(s) - seabird , population , light pollution , fishing , environmental pollution , fishery , environmental health , medicine , predation , geography , ecology , environmental protection , biology , physics , optics
Aims The aims of this study were to analyze the causes of morbidity and mortality in a large population of seabirds admitted to the Tafira Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (TWRC) in Gran Canaria Island, Spain, from 2003 to 2013, and to analyze the outcomes of the rehabilitation process. Methods We included 1,956 seabirds (133 dead on admission and 1,823 admitted alive) in this study. Causes of morbidity were classified into nine categories: light pollution (fallout), fishing gear interaction, crude oil, poisoning/intoxication, other traumas, metabolic/nutritional disorder, orphaned young birds, other causes, and unknown/undetermined. The crude and stratified (by causes of admission) rates of the three final disposition categories (euthanasia E r , unassisted mortality M r , and release R r ), the time until death, and the length of stay were also studied for the seabirds admitted alive. Results Yellow-legged Gull ( Larus michahellis ) was the species most frequently admitted (46.52%), followed by Cory’s Shearwater ( Calonectris diomedea borealis ) (20.09%). The most frequent causes of morbidity were light pollution (fallout) (25.81%), poisoning/intoxication (24.69%), and other traumas (18.14%). The final disposition rates were: E r = 15.35%, M r = 16.29%, and R r = 68.34%. The highest E r was observed in the ‘other traumas’ category (58.08%). Seabirds admitted due to metabolic/nutritional disorder had the highest M r (50%). The highest R r was observed in the light pollution (fallout) category (99.20%). Conclusions This survey provides useful information for the conservation of several seabird species. We suggest that at least the stratified analysis by causes of admission of the three final disposition rates, and the parameters time until death and length of stay at the center should be included in the outcome research of the rehabilitation of seabirds. The high release rate for seabirds (68.34%) achieved at the TWRC emphasizes the importance of wildlife rehabilitation centers for the conservation of seabirds.