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The paper presents indicators of the number, reproduction and behavior of mallard ducks living in unurbanized and urbanized environments in the Lublin region. The research carried out in urban areas and beyond showed significant changes in the behavior of birds in terms of their timidity due to the presence of humans, as well as the distance of departure of birds and re-landing on the water surface. These distances between the described types of environment were four times higher for unurbanized areas. Significantly higher numbers, and thus also the bird density indicators, were found, as well as the average size of the assemblages in urbanized areas, which, depending on the date of the study, was higher by 2.0-3.2 birds in the community in favor of anthropogenic environments. There were no significant differences in the sex structure and reproductive rates between the study sites, with male predominance in all types of environments. The conducted analyzes indicate a progressive adaptation to urbanized environments by mallard ducks. This is done through behavioral changes, which does not significantly affect the course of natural selection and breeding processes of birds in these environments, as compared to unurbanized or low-urbanized environments typical for this species until recently.

Introduction The aim of the study was to carry out epizootic assessment of male roe deer to detect the presence of Cephenemyia stimulator larvae and determine the influence of the parasite on the carcass and antler weight in animals living in different habitats. Material and Methods The investigations were based on post-mortem analysis of Cephenemyia stimulator infestations of the nasal passages and throat of 177 male roe deer culled between May 11 and September 30, 2020 in hunting districts of the Lublin region in Poland. The individual quality of the animals was assessed by weighing the gutted carcasses after cooling, and the antlers were weighed after dissection and their total weight was determined. Results The parasite prevalence ranged from18 to 48% according to habitat type, with a mean value of 33%. The highest prevalence was detected in bucks living in grassland ecosystems. The presence of the parasites exerted influence on the individual condition of the animals, which was reflected in reduced carcass and antler weight. The differences were found both in young individuals and in somatically fully developed animals, but they were not statistically significant in all age groups. Conclusion Although the parasitic infestations impaired the individual condition traits, their parametric values in most cases were not lower than those reported from other regions of Poland. Despite the Cephenemyia stimulator infestation, male roe deer from the Lublin region are characterised by high carcass and antler weight.

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of these substitutions on body weight and slaughtering performance, post-mortem changes, sensory characteristics and chemical composition of selected muscle groups of male and female pheasants. The tests were carried out on pheasants during 5–16 weeks of rearing in enclosed aviaries. Four groups of 8 females and 8 males were formed, and the experimental factor was the supplementation of calcium, iron, zinc and copper salts with glycinates of these elements. The control group received a feed blend containing 100% of the mineral requirement as salts. In the E-25 group, 25% of the salts were replaced by glycinates, in the E-50 group 50% of the salts were replaced, and in the E-75 group only glycinates comprising 75% of the total mineral content were used and no salts were included, with vitamin D3 replaced by calcitriol. For the duration of the study, feeding was at will and the birds had free access to water. In addition, pheasants were weighed at the age of 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks. Daily feed intake was monitored. At the end of the experiment, when all the pheasants were 16 weeks old, they were weighed and decapitated. The breast, thighs and drumsticks and the heart, liver and gizzard were removed from the chilled carcasses. Supplementation of calcium, iron, zinc and copper salts with 50% glycinates in feed mixtures for pheasants over a period of 5–16 weeks resulted in a slight improvement in the slaughter weight of birds and a significant increase in crude ash, calcium and zinc, while at 75% supplementation and when calcitriol was used instead of vitamin D3, increased phosphorus levels were found in the pheasant muscles analysed. Males had higher body weight, body weight gain, carcass, liver and gizzard weights, and their muscles had more magnesium and potassium and less calcium, sodium and iron than females.

Introduction Differing conditions in captive breeding and in the wild have impact on the mineral profile of the pheasant carcass and its heavy metal contents. This may be an indicator of environmental contamination. The study evaluated the nutritional composition and selected macro- and trace element contents (heavy metals in particular) in usable sections of pheasant breast and thigh muscles originating from captive breeding and wild birds. Material and Methods The tests were performed on the breast and thigh muscles of 20 wild and 20 farm bred birds from around Lublin, Poland, with equal sex representation. The nutrient and lead, cadmium, chromium, and nickel contents were determined using inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Results The farmed pheasants had a higher proportion of breast muscle. The thigh muscles of all birds had a higher fat content than the breast muscles (5.1 g vs. 3.4 g per kg of natural weight). The macroelement level depended on the muscle type and bird origin. The trace element content also did and gender dependence was also evident. The wild birds contained more cadmium in the breast muscles and lead in both muscles than the farm-raised ones. Conclusion The high quality and usefulness of wild and farmed pheasant meat is confirmed. It has advantageous macro- and trace element contents and permissible heavy metal contents except for lead in wild birds. The heavy metal level can be a bioindicator of their environmental occurrence. In wild birds, the lead level may also reflect birdshot remnants.

We developed an algorithm to classify brown hares into two age classes, juveniles (up to 1 year old) and adults (over 1 year old), based on body weight, which can be determined by both the examination of live animals and postmortem analysis. Considering the strong correlation between lens weight and carcass weight, we assumed that hares could be classified into one of the two age groups based only on carcass weight, using a logistic regression model. Using logistic regression, a model was constructed to assess the age of hares based on their body weight. For comparison with the current age-assessment method based on the dry lens weight, a logistic regression classifying the hares based on the dry lens weight was performed as well. The results of the study facilitated the development of a method to classify hares into age groups based on body weight. The proposed approach is innovative, as it allows for the determination of the age of not only culled (postmortem) but also live hares. The method is easy and does not require laboratory tests; hence, the results can be used immediately following evaluation. This method allows hares to be categorized into two age groups (juveniles and adults). With an accuracy of 97.52% and 95.45% in the case of juvenile and adult hares, respectively, the proposed approach can be widely used both in population management and scientific research.

W pracy dokonano oceny wybranych cech anatomiczno-morfologicznych samców i samic bażanta łownego (Phasianus colchicus) pochodzących z dzikiej populacji w rejonie Wyżyny Lubelskiej. Bażanty pozyskano w trakcie polowań w listopadzie 2017 roku w obwodach łowieckich, w których nie były prowadzone zasiedlenia tym gatunkiem. W badaniach wykorzystano 30 ptaków, z czego 10 to samice pozyskane w ośrodku hodowli zwierzyny, a 20 – samce pozyskane w obwodach łowieckich dzierżawionych przez koła łowieckie. Po wypatroszeniu tuszki zważono oraz wypreparowano mięsień piersiowy (m. pectoralis) ptaków. W mięśniu określono zawartość tłuszczu, profil kwasów tłuszczowych oraz wyznaczono indeks aterogenny (AI) i trombogenny (TI), jak również proporcję kwasów hipocholesterolemicznych/hipercholesterolemicznych. Wykazano wyraźny dymorfizm płciowy pod względem masy ciała, a tym samym masy tuszki na korzyść samców. W przypadku ptaków młodych różnica ta wynosiła 274,3 g, a dorosłych – 392,2 g. Również wszystkie oceniane narządy wewnętrzne kur, klasyfikowane jako podroby, miały zdecydowanie mniejszą masę. Najmniejszą wydajnością rzeźną, wynoszącą 70,5 %, charakteryzowały się kury dorosłe, zaś największą – na poziomie 74,2 % – kury młode. Uzyskane wskaźniki wydajności rzeźnej są zbliżone do rezultatów wydajności rzeźnej bażantów z chowu fermowego, a niewielkie odstępstwa uwarunkowane były wiekiem ptaków oraz ich pochodzeniem. Profil kwasów tłuszczowych tłuszczu bażantów był bardziej zdeterminowany wiekiem ptaków niż płcią. Najbardziej korzystny skład kwasów tłuszczowych oraz wskaźniki atero- i trombogenne stwierdzono w tłuszczu mięśni piersiowych jednorocznych bażantów.

Introduction: The objective was to evaluate the epizootic and epidemiological situation of Trichinella sp. infection in Poland between 2006 and 2015 against the dynamics of the wild boar population and its primary reservoir host. Material and Methods: Boar and porcine trichinosis epizootic analysis was based on General Veterinary Inspectorate data from RRW-6 bulletins. The epidemiological situation was evaluated on the basis of the data supplied by the Department of Epidemiology of the National Institute of Hygiene - National Institute of Public Health. The wild boar hunting harvest and population dynamics were estimated, as these animals remain the basic infection source for humans. Population size and harvest data were obtained from hunting statistics. Results: The study timeframe showed an almost 2.5-fold increase in Trichinella infection cases in wild boars but a significant decline in human cases. In the domestic pig, the incidence rate did not exceed 0.00037%. The highest infection risk exists in West Pomerania, Greater Poland, and Kuyavian-Pomeranian Provinces. Over the study period, the wild boar population increased more than 1.5-fold, while the hunting harvest more than tripled. During the last two seasons the total hunt surpassed 100% of the spring population. Conclusion: Wild boar management by increasing the hunting take of the annual population growth should limit that growth and decrease the take in the future. Thereby, over some years intra-species trichinosis spread should reduce, for a substantial safety gain for wild boar meat.

The paper presents the principles which govern evaluation of poaching crimes with the use of firearms during preparation of court opinions based on secured forensic traces. In many cases, secured evidence does not allow for post-mortem examination; it becomes necessary to use other methods of assessing the evidence.Such assessments are based on photographic documentation of the scene, as well as secured fragments of tissue, and sometimes also bullets or their parts. In many cases, the secured evidence allows for the use of simple research methods or experiments that make it possible to determine the facts.Such comprehensive analyses lead to precise determination of both the species of animals and the cause of their death and should be used in forensic and veterinary opinions.W pracy przedstawiono zasady oceny przestępstw kłusowniczych z wykorzystaniem broni palnej przy wydawaniu opinii sądowych na podstawie śladów kryminalistycznych zabezpieczonych w materiale dowodowym. W wielu przypadkach zabezpieczony materiał nie pozwala na wykonanie badania post mortem, konieczne staje się więc zastosowanie innych metod jego oceny.Oceny opierają się na dokumentacji fotograficznej miejsca zdarzenia oraz zabezpieczonych fragmentach tkanek, a czasami również pocisków lub ich części. W wielu przypadkach zabezpieczony materiał dowodowy pozwala na wykorzystanie prostych metod badawczych czy przeprowadzenie eksperymentów umożliwiających ustalenie stanu faktycznego.Tego rodzaju kompleksowe analizy pozwalają na precyzyjne ustalenie zarówno gatunku zwierzyny, jak i przyczyny zgonu i powinny być stosowane w opiniowaniu sądowo-weterynaryjnym.

The aim of study was to evaluate the epizootic situation of rabies in Poland in 2011-2015 in relation to the free-living population of foxes, which are the main vectors of the rabies virus. The number of rabies cases increased in the first two years of this period, but subsequently diminished. The primary reservoir of the virus are still free-living foxes and, among domestic animals, dogs and cats. In terms of the frequency of virus occurrence in Poland, a shift has been noted in recent years from Podkarpackie Voivodeship to Lesser Poland Voivodeship. In 2015, over 80% of all rabies cases were diagnosed in Lesser Poland, and in domestic animals the virus was diagnosed solely in this voivodeship. During the study period, the population of free-living foxes was stable, but there was a slight increase in the number of foxes hunted. Nevertheless, the hunting index for the fox population, which does not exceed 72%, suggests that hunting is currently not the only mortality factor among foxes. The analysis of the size and density of the fox population in particular voivodeships revealed that density is not the main determinant of the occurrence and spread of the virus. The results of the study confirm that the immunization of free-living foxes, although costly, is still necessary to improve the situation, especially in regions with a high prevalence of the virus.

This study compared pheasant roosters living in a natural habitat (n = 10), where farm-bred birds had not been released for 7 years (hence the wild-living birds were assumed to have been determined exclusively by environmental conditions),. The other group (n = 10) comprised farmed pheasant roosters. In December 2010, the pheasants were hunted, and biometric measurements of some traits were performed. After dissection, the muscles, bones, organs, and gastrointestinal tract were weighed, and the length of the intestines was measured. It was shown that the farmed pheasants had a significantly higher body weight (1583 g and 1407 g), which was mainly related to the higher fat content (144 g and 30 g). The farmed roosters had shorter rectrices. The heart-to-body weight and liver-to-body weight ratios, i.e. 0.6 % and 1.9 % respectively, were the same in both groups. No differences were found between the groups in terms of the weight of the pectoral, limb, and wing muscles, but the farmed roosters had heavier leg and wing bones. The length of the intestines per 100 g body weight was 10.5 cm in the farmed roosters and 13.3 cm in the free-living birds. Statistical analysis of variance was performed, and the differences between the groups were verified with the Mann-Whitney test. The farmed pheasants were shown to differ only slightly from the free-living birds from the natural habitat; hence, they are suitable for reintroduction.

This study determined the effect of supplementation of the pheasant diet with mineral components (Ca, Fe, Zn and Cu) from organic sources with or without the addition of alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) on productivity, hatchability parameters, nutrients and mineral content in pheasant eggs. Studies were performed on three groups of laying pheasants, which were kept in aviaries and received a standard mixture (Group I, the control group), a mixture with Ca, Fe, Zn, and Cu glycinates which replaced 50% of the mineral components in inorganic form (Group II), or a mixture with chelates and a 200 mg alpha-ketoglutarate supplement (Group III). Supplementation of the diet with chelates raised the content level of the mineral components in the whole egg and yolk, mainly the contents of calcium, zinc and iron. The addition of 200 mg of alpha-ketoglutarate to the diet with calcium, zinc, iron and copper chelates of glycine (50% of the supplemented elements) resulted in improved laying capacity and rates of reproduction and rearing of chicks, with a slight decrease in the size and weight of eggs. The eggshell was thinner, and the albumen and the Haugh Unit score were higher. Inorganic mineral components can be replaced by glycine chelates at up to 50%, especially with the addition of 200 mg of AKG, in the pheasant diet in commercial breeding.

The paper presents findings about how the substitution of calcium, iron, zinc, and copper salts with glycine chelates affects specific reproductive parameters of pheasants, the hatching potential and nutritional components of pheasant eggs, and the fatty acid profiles and cholesterol content in pheasant yolk. 4 groups were created for the experiment: the control, in which the birds received a feed containing standard calcium, iron, zinc, and copper salts, and 3 experimental groups in which chelates were used to replace 25, 50, and 75% of the mineral salts. The group with the 75% chelate share was not supplemented with the salts, and cholecalciferol was replaced with calcitriol. The groups included pheasant females (7 birds) and 1 male, respectively, and were maintained in outdoor aviaries. The birds were administered granulated feed mixes ad libitum, with free access to water. Their feed intake was recorded each day. The birds were weighed at the beginning and end of the egg-laying period. The eggs were collected throughout the egg-laying period, and the eggs gathered at the culmination of the egg-laying period were used for hatching. The eggs were morphometrically analyzed and the hatching process and subsequent hatchling survival rates were investigated. Nutritional components in the eggs were determined, and the fatty acid profiles and cholesterol content were assayed in the yolk. The results showed the use of Ca, Fe, Zn, and Cu chelates in place of salts in the pheasant brood hen diet had contributed to enhancing the egg-laying performance, with a concurrent fall in the size and weight of the eggs. The highest egg-laying performance, with the lowest egg weight, was observed in the group that consumed the highest (75%) share of mineral chelates and received calcitriol supplementation. This corresponded with the highest incubation yield and hatchling survival. The thickest shells and highest crude ash percentages were identified in the eggs of the pheasant group that received a 50% by 50% proportion of salts and glycine chelates. In comparison with the control birds that received the mineral salts, the yolk of the pheasants that consumed the feed with the 75% share of calcitriol and Ca, Fe, Zn, and Cu chelates had a higher percentage of n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), with a far more advantageous n-6/n-3 proportion. No differences related to the source and levels of Ca, Fe, Zn, and Cu in the feed were observed in the cholesterol content of the pheasant yolk.

The paper presents the principles of assessing fatal shootings of dogs during collective hunting due to ricocheting bullets from firearms with threaded barrels for purposes of judicial review. Such assessments usually have two purposes. The first is to determine the cause of death, and the assessment is based on veterinary anatomopathological examination of the gunshot wound and the examination of the bullet or its fragments found in the carcass of the animal. If a direct examination is impossible, X-ray images are often used. The second aspect of the assessment is the analysis of evidence aimed at reconstructing the course of the event and determining whether the shot was due to a ricocheting projectile or to non-compliance with safety rules when using the firearm. Such analyses require knowledge of issues related to the construction and use of weapons and ammunition, as well as external ballistics of missiles. The assessment is based mainly on the analysis of tissue fragments and projectiles or their fragments recovered from the carcass of the animal. In addition, it is also important to reconstruct the course of the event on the basis of the documentation collected and sometimes an inspection of the area where the incident occurred.

The paper presents a post-traumatic anomaly of the metacarpal joint of a front limb of a female red deer, which was the cause of joint dislocation. This anomaly arose due to an incorrect positioning of the limb during movement, especially during fast running, most probably when the frightened animal was escaping from danger. Other mechanical causes cannot be excluded, such as entrapment of the limb in a net fence for crops and forest youngsters, which is commonly used to protect the forest from wild animals. The study showed that the resulting injury had led to secondary degenerative changes and deformities of the lopsided axis of the limb. The result was an incorrect directional orientation of the metacarpal bone and toes, and consequently of the hooves of the third and fourth fingertips. At the same time, the second and fifth toes, residual in this species, became retarded. The joint dislocation led to an incorrect positioning of the hooves during the animal’s movement and, consequently, to their excessive growth. These changes, however, despite their long-standing character, did not affect the animal’s condition, as evidenced by its carcass weight, which was above average for a female deer of this age and in this region of Poland.

Concentration activity levels of selected radionuclides in skulls of European badger from eastern Poland were determined. It was found that studied skull bones contained on average 1.6 ± 1.7 Bq kg-1 of 137Cs (range: 0-6.4 Bq kg-1), 2.2 ± 0.87 Bq kg-1 of 90Sr (range: 0.93-3.9 Bq kg-1), and 8.4 ± 4.1 Bq kg-1 of 239+240Pu (range: 0-53 Bq kg-1). These values prove to be rather low in comparison with earlier literature data on anthropogenic radionuclides (being a result of the Chernobyl fallout) present in skulls of other mammals. This suggests that migration processes of anthropogenic radionuclides have caused a diminishing of contamination in the upper layer of soil.

The paper presents the epidemiological situation of rabies in Poland in the period 2011-2015 in the con-text of the ongoing since 2002, a national campaign of oral immunization of free-living foxes and its efficiency and costs. Additionally, the impact of preventive measures on the dynamics of the number of foxes, was evalu-ated. During the study period, a decrease in the amount of ascertained rabies cases in wild and domestic animals was recorded, but still the primary reservoir of the virus were free-living foxes. The high effectiveness of vaccina-tion, evaluated applying detailed laboratory tests, contributed significantly to the level of foxes immunization, which was also confirmed by the ecological assessment. However, in some provinces and years of the research, the level of immunization should be considered as average, which was confirmed by the results of 2015, when only every second fox examined in the framework of monitoring acquired the resistance as a result of preven-tive vaccination. Despite the relatively high cost of the described preventive measures, which include the costs of purchasing the vaccine and its distribution in the field, it seems necessary to continue the oral immunization of foxes initiated in 1993 and expanded in 2002 throughout the country. The dramatic drop in the incidence of rabies in animals affects directly the reduction in the epidemiological risks. Undoubtedly, the negative aspect of the aforementioned actions is growth and persistent large population of foxes and their adverse impact on the functioning of the main small animals species, as well as the possibility of increased epizootic risk in respect of other diseases affecting the species. In this situation, it seems necessary, already begun intensifying acquisition of foxes by culling..

Two cases of albinism in roe deer were reported in the Lublin region in the spring of 2017. Both animals were females. One of them was a mature female roe deer with partial albinism. The other was a young roe deer (kid) born in the previous hunting season, which was a true albino, most probably descended from a female roe deer with pseudo-leukoderma. Since the eyes of these animals could not be examined, it was impossible to conclude about their leucism. No male roe deer in a group of 14 animals showed phenotypic features of albinism. This confirms that albinism in roe deer occurs very rarely, because it is conditioned by recessive alleles, and its phenotypic manifestations can take many forms..