Rehabilitation of Swifts. Apus apus and Apus pallidus Morphometric Parameters Analysis
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2019-01-22
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A conservação da fauna selvagem ocorre a diversos níveis, um dos quais é o trabalho realizado
nos centros de recuperação de fauna selvagem. Estes são responsáveis não só pela reabilitação
de espécies animais selvagens autóctones, mas também pela sensibilização e educação da
população para estas mesmas espécies. O andorinhão preto (Apus apus) e o andorinhão pálido
(Apus pallidus) são duas espécies de aves que todos os anos são recebidas nos centros de
reabilitação portugueses por diversos motivos.
O principal objetivo deste trabalho é o estudo das características morfológicas destas duas
espécies no momento de devolução ao seu habitat natural, e a subsequente comparação com
valores referenciados de forma a detetar diferenças que poderão ter impacto na sua
sobrevivência após a sua libertação. Também se pretende analisar as taxas de sucesso e as
causas de ingresso com a finalidade de identificar fatores de risco. Para tal foi elaborada uma
base de dados com os dados de ingresso e libertação, e as biometrias de 312 andorinhões
recebidos no CERVAS (Centro de Ecologia, Recuperação e Vigilância de Animais Selvagens)
em Gouveia.
Neste estudo observámos que o ingresso destas aves é máximo em Julho, e que as entradas no
centro devem-se principalmente a traumas e quedas do ninho. Os casos de trauma têm taxas de
libertação (41.1%) menores devido às elevadas taxas de eutanásia (45.2%). As quedas de ninho
têm uma elevada taxa de devolução à Natureza (73.3%). O peso de andorinhões no ingresso é
maior em aves que são libertadas. Observámos também que as aves juvenis requerem um tempo
de reabilitação (13.2 dias em andorinhões pretos e 14.2 dias em andorinhões pálidos) mais longo
que adultos (1.4 dias em andorinhões pretos e 3.9 dias em andorinhões pálidos). O ganho de
peso nestes animais está correlacionado com o período de reabilitação (r=0.492). Observámos
ainda que o comprimento da asa de um andorinhão juvenil (160.74 milímetros em andorinhões
pretos e 168.43 milímetros em andorinhões pálidos) é menor que o de um andorinhão adulto
(160.84 milímetros em andorinhões pretos e 170.64 milímetros em andorinhões pálidos), nas
duas espécies.Podemos concluir que o estudo das características morfológicas permite delimitar valores
padrão para andorinhões recuperados, o que poderá ser desenvolvido de forma a melhorar o
processo de recuperação de forma a atingir valores biométricos previamente definidos, garantindo um desenvolvimento mais perto do natural, e aumentar a taxa de sobrevivência de
animais libertados. A análise da causa de ingresso poderá permitir que o centro de reabilitação
dirija melhor os seus esforços e recursos para otimizar o seu funcionamento e taxa de sucesso.
The conservation of the wildlife occurs at various levels, one of which is the work which takes place in wildlife rehabilitation centres. These are responsible not only for the rehabilitation of autochthonous wild animals, but also the sensibilization and education of the population for these same species. The common swift (Apus apus) and the pallid swift (Apus pallidus) are two bird species that every year are received in the Portuguese rehabilitation centres for several reasons. The main objective of this work is the study of the morphologic characteristics of these two species at the moment of reintroduction in their natural habitat, and the subsequent comparison to referenced values in order to detect differences which might impact their survival post release. We also intend to analyse the rates and the causes of ingress with the purpose of identifying risk factors. For this purpose, a data base was developed with the admission and release data, and the biometrics of 312 swifts received in CERVAS (Centro de Ecologia, Recuperação e Vigilância de Animais Selvagens) in Gouveia. In this study we observed that the ingress of these birds is maximum in July and the admissions in the centre are mainly from traumas and nest falls. The cases of trauma have lower release rates (41.1%) due to the high euthanasia rates (45.2%). The falls from the nest have high reintroduction rates (73.3%). The weight of ingress of swifts is larger in birds that are released. We also observed that juvenile birds require a longer rehabilitation period (13.2 days for common swifts and 14.2 days for pallid swifts) than adults (1.4 days for common swifts and 3.9 days for pallid swifts). The weight gain of these animals is correlated to the rehabilitation period (r=0.492). We observed as well that the wing length of a juvenile swift (160.74 millimetres in common swifts and 160.8 millimetres in pallid swifts) is smaller than the one of an adult swift (168.43 millimetres in common swifts e 170.64 millimetres in pallid swifts), for both species. We can conclude that the study of the morphological characteristics allows the delineation of pattern values for rehabilitated swifts, which can be developed in order to improve the rehabilitation process by reaching biometric values previously defined, ensuring a development closer to natural and increasing the survival rate of released animals. The analysis of the admission cause may allow the centre to better use their efforts and resources to optimize its operations and success rate.
The conservation of the wildlife occurs at various levels, one of which is the work which takes place in wildlife rehabilitation centres. These are responsible not only for the rehabilitation of autochthonous wild animals, but also the sensibilization and education of the population for these same species. The common swift (Apus apus) and the pallid swift (Apus pallidus) are two bird species that every year are received in the Portuguese rehabilitation centres for several reasons. The main objective of this work is the study of the morphologic characteristics of these two species at the moment of reintroduction in their natural habitat, and the subsequent comparison to referenced values in order to detect differences which might impact their survival post release. We also intend to analyse the rates and the causes of ingress with the purpose of identifying risk factors. For this purpose, a data base was developed with the admission and release data, and the biometrics of 312 swifts received in CERVAS (Centro de Ecologia, Recuperação e Vigilância de Animais Selvagens) in Gouveia. In this study we observed that the ingress of these birds is maximum in July and the admissions in the centre are mainly from traumas and nest falls. The cases of trauma have lower release rates (41.1%) due to the high euthanasia rates (45.2%). The falls from the nest have high reintroduction rates (73.3%). The weight of ingress of swifts is larger in birds that are released. We also observed that juvenile birds require a longer rehabilitation period (13.2 days for common swifts and 14.2 days for pallid swifts) than adults (1.4 days for common swifts and 3.9 days for pallid swifts). The weight gain of these animals is correlated to the rehabilitation period (r=0.492). We observed as well that the wing length of a juvenile swift (160.74 millimetres in common swifts and 160.8 millimetres in pallid swifts) is smaller than the one of an adult swift (168.43 millimetres in common swifts e 170.64 millimetres in pallid swifts), for both species. We can conclude that the study of the morphological characteristics allows the delineation of pattern values for rehabilitated swifts, which can be developed in order to improve the rehabilitation process by reaching biometric values previously defined, ensuring a development closer to natural and increasing the survival rate of released animals. The analysis of the admission cause may allow the centre to better use their efforts and resources to optimize its operations and success rate.
Descrição
Dissertation of Integrated Masters in Veterinary Medicine
Palavras-chave
Vida selvagem , Apus apus , Andorinhão preto , Apus pallidus , Andorinhão pálido , Reabilitação