Canary Common Ravens Electrocution: A Post Mortem Case Study

ANTONIO FERNÁNDEZ; PABLO DÍAZ SANTANA; MARISA ANDRADA; LUCÍA MARRERO-PONCE; PAULA ALONSO; FRANCHESCO CONSOLI; JOSÉ NAVARRO-SARMIENTO; CARLA FIORITO; CRISTIAN SUÁREZ-SANTANA

Conferencia; European College of Veterinary Pathology (ECVP) Annual Meeting; 2022

The Royal Decree 1432/2008 established special actions to protect the wildavian species from collision and electrocution with powerlines in the Spanishterritory. The law specifies that it is the responsibility of the electricalcompanies to fix any altered power line that may pose a risk to thepopulation of birds in protected areas. The Canarian common raven (Corvuscorax canariensis) is classified as an endangered species in the CanarianCatalogue of Protected Species. Furthermore, electrocution has beenrecognized as an important mortality factor for this species in Canarias.Three whole frozen carcases of three Canarian common ravens weresubmitted to the Veterinary Pathology Department, Veterinary School,Institute of Animal Health (University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria), forforensic investigation. A complete post mortem study, including imagingdiagnosis, necropsy and sampling for histopathology, microbiology andtoxicological studies was carried out. The specimens were mature adults, twofemales and a male. No predisposing factors for electrocution were observed in any of the specimen. Three different anticoagulant rodenticides (brodifacoum, bromadiolone and difenacoum) where detected in the liver samples of the ravens. The effect that this substances may have on these birds is unknown. The diagnosis of electrocution (pathologic entity: anthropogenic death) has allowed the Canary Islands?administration to request the implementation of measures for the protection of avian wildlife on power lines, such as the installation of insulation devices on pre-existing power line poles. Correct diagnosis of electrocution is mandatory to apply the corrective actions on power line as dictated by law.