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Pathomorphological investigation and the causes of deaths in 2018 – 2019 as a step in protection and conservation of Griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) population in Croatia

Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) is the only one of four vulture species living in Europe and remaining a strictly protected species in Croatia. In spite of continual and hard work on the vultures protection and conservation, various threats such as (un)intentional killing/disturbance (shooting, harassment, (un)intentional poisoning) ; electrocution and collision with power lines (or at wind farms) ; collision with vehicles ; lack of food availability and drowning, still represent (at least apparently) the primary causes of their death. Encouraged by the results of toxicological examinations in other species of wild birds (confirmation of chronic bird poisoning by lead in birds having died of trauma), the determination of the causes of diseases and deaths in the griffon vultures (Beli Visitor Centre and Rescue Centre for Griffon Vultures, Cres, and Public institution PRIRODA, Rijeka, /predominantly Kvarner Islands/) began in 2018, using systematic X-ray and macroscopical and miscroscopical pathomorphological examinations followed by toxicological and microbiological (bacteriological, virological and parasitological) investigations, and molecular entomological research (mainly for the estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI)). In seven (77.77%) out of nine investigated carcases found in the sea, changes were found to be characteristic of drowning. In two of seven, X-ray findings were typical of lead ammunition. Acute lead poisoning was confirmed in a female bird having died after a short period of lameness (densities on abdominal X- ray indicated ingested lead content ; 40 mg/kg lead in the liver). In one bird typical signs of electrocution were confirmed.

Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus) ; Croatia ; pathomorphology ; toxicology ; entomology ; drowning ; electrocution ; poisoning

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