Conservation medical activities for wild endangered raptors, in Hokkaido Japan
Keisuke Saito, D.V.M.
Institute for Raptor Biomedicine Japan (Kushiro Shitsugen Wildlife Center)
2-2101 Hokuto Kushiro Hokkaido Japan, Zip 084-0922, k_saito@r8.dion.ne.jp
Various biomedical activities for the conservation of endangered raptors are now going into
operation, by the Institute for Raptor Biomedicine Japan (IRBJ).

As for the conservation of theBlakiston's Fish Owl (Ketupa blakistoni), one of the most endangered species in Japan, rescue of
injured individual has been performed in addition to the basic study such as the clinical examinationand nutritional status assessment of the nestling, genetic analysis for sex determination and diversityassessment.

Conservation medical activity of the Steller’s Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus) andWhite-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), those winter in a large number in Hokkaido, is one of theprimary practice of IRBJ.

This includes medical treatment of injured birds, rehabilitation(pre-release training), determination of the cause of death and injuries, and pathological research of
infectious diseases.
The goal of wildlife rescue is not the medical treatment itself.

Recovered individual must be

returned appropriately into wild after particular rehabilitation program.

Therefore, it is crucially

important know the biological status of the patient species, and learn a skill to make a diagnosis
correctly using the firstly our five senses.

These make us advantage to diagnose without excessive

stress on patients, especially in the field without special veterinary equipments.

Selection of the best

clinical method is important to reduce the physical or mental effects which can cause the adverseimpact when returned to the wildness.

At the time when we provide some high quality andspecialized medical treatment or examination (e.g. endoscopic operation, ultrasonic examination, or
surgical operation under gaseous anesthesia), special skill to get a scent of peculiar vital sign or reflex,
and knowledge of emergency protocol (including air sac intubation, and fluid / blood infusion
technique) are required.

Furthermore, it is important to keep in mind the important raptor infectious

diseases seen in Japan (and neighbor countries) and always update them to the latest information.
Learning the essential skill of the clinical technique, assuming a scene to utilize, greatly contribute toimprove the lifesaving performance.
IRBJ receive a large number of raptor carcasses each year, many more than live birds.
to determine the cause of death is always put in operation as the ordinary work.

Autopsy

When the cause wasan artificial thing, we keep in particular mind to send a proposal to the organization concerned, for thepurpose of prevention of other similar incidents.
Our 15 years data show the existence of the various conflicts between human and wild raptors.
In 1996, lead shot was firstly found from the ventriculus of a Steller’s Sea Eagle.
of lead rifle bullet were also detected.

In 1997, fragments

The instance greatly increased after 1997, and it was clear thatsevere lead poisoning caused by lead hunting ammunitions (rifle bullets and shotgun slugs/pellets) wasfrequently occurring in raptors.
problem.

Currently, the collision with windmill (bird strike) becomes a social

Almost of 21 victims of White-tailed and Steller’s Sea Eagle were examined in IRBJ, andthe result of the predisposition has been reported in the academic meeting.

Electrocution of large

sized raptors by power poles or lines is now one of the most serious problems.

Close investigations

were carried out, not only to make clear the background and mechanism of the accident, but also tosuggest the practical prevention method to the power company.