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Patterns of mortality in free-ranging California Condors (Gymnogyps californianus).
- Source :
-
Journal of wildlife diseases [J Wildl Dis] 2012 Jan; Vol. 48 (1), pp. 95-112. - Publication Year :
- 2012
-
Abstract
- We document causes of death in free-ranging California Condors (Gymnogyps californianus) from the inception of the reintroduction program in 1992 through December 2009 to identify current and historic mortality factors that might interfere with establishment of self-sustaining populations in the wild. A total of 135 deaths occurred from October 1992 (the first post-release death) through December 2009, from a maximum population-at-risk of 352 birds, for a cumulative crude mortality rate of 38%. A definitive cause of death was determined for 76 of the 98 submitted cases, 70% (53/76) of which were attributed to anthropogenic causes. Trash ingestion was the most important mortality factor in nestlings (proportional mortality rate [PMR] 73%; 8/11), while lead toxicosis was the most important factor in juveniles (PMR 26%; 13/50) and adults (PMR 67%; 10/15). These results demonstrate that the leading causes of death at all California Condor release sites are anthropogenic. The mortality factors thought to be important in the decline of the historic California Condor population, particularly lead poisoning, remain the most important documented mortality factors today. Without effective mitigation, these factors can be expected to have the same effects on the sustainability of the wild populations as they have in the past.
- Subjects :
- Animals
Animals, Wild
Bird Diseases blood
Bird Diseases epidemiology
California
Cause of Death
Environmental Exposure
Environmental Monitoring
Epidemiological Monitoring
Female
Lead blood
Lead Poisoning epidemiology
Lead Poisoning mortality
Male
Bird Diseases mortality
Conservation of Natural Resources methods
Environmental Pollutants adverse effects
Falconiformes
Lead Poisoning veterinary
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1943-3700
- Volume :
- 48
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of wildlife diseases
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 22247378
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-48.1.95