A Retrospective Study on Wild Orphan Animals in Afyon Kocatepe University Wildlife Rescue Rehabilitation, Training, Practice and Research Center (AKUREM)

Year 2020, Volume: 13 Issue: 3, 272 - 280, 30.09.2020

Emine Hesna Kandır , Tuğrul Gül

https://doi.org/10.30607/kvj.766330

Cited By: 2

Abstract

This research is the first study on wild orphan animals in Turkey. The aim of this study is to evaluate the reasons of the orphans’ arrival, their health status and fate in the Afyon Kocatepe University Wildlife Rescue Rehabilitation, Training, Practice and Research Center. Data on 118 orphans accepted the center in 2017, 2018 and 2019 were evaluated. A total of 16 different species, including 12 birds and 4 mammals, were recorded. Most of the orphans (89%) were birds and few mammals (11%). Most of the orphans (45.8%) were accepted to the center during the breeding seasons, especially in July. Most of the orphan birds were from the urban areas (94.3%) while most of the orphan mammals were from the rural areas (84.6%). The majority of orphans (81.4%) admitted to the rehabilitation center were uninjured and healthy. The mortality rate in the rehabilitation center (47.5%) was higher than those who were successfully released into wildlife (40.7%), those in captivity (5.9%) and euthanasia (5.9%). Despite the high rate of healthy offspring, the high mortality rate indicates that the rehabilitation process is difficult and requires expertise. As a result, not all wild offspring found by humans are orphans. Leaving healthy offspring in their habitat in a controlled manner can increase their chances of survival. It has been concluded that increasing education and awareness-raising activities both in rehabilitation centers and in the community will reduce the problem of orphans in wildlife.

Keywords

biodiversity, conservation, rescue, wildlife, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey

Supporting Institution

Afyon Kocatepe University

Project Number

18.KARIYER.286

Thanks

This Project was supported by the scientific research committe of AKU (Project no: 18.KARIYER.286). The authors thank to Afyon Kocatepe University Wildlife Rescue Rehabilitation Training Practice and Research Center, Afyon Kocatepe University Veterinary Health Practice and Research Center and 5th District Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks for their cooperations.

Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi Yaban Hayatı Kurtarma Rehabilitasyon Eğitim Uygulama ve Araştırma Merkezindeki (AKUREM) Yabani Öksüz Yavrular Üzerine Bir Retrospektif Araştırma

Abstract

Bu araştırma Türkiye'deki öksüz yaban hayvanları üzerine yapılan ilk çalışmadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi Yaban Hayatı Kurtarma Rehabilitasyon Eğitim Uygulama ve Araştırma Merkezi’ne getirilen yaban hayatı öksüz yavrularının geliş nedenlerini, sağlık durumlarını ve akibetlerini değerlendirmektir. Merkeze, 2017, 2018 ve 2019 yıllarında getirilen 118 öksüz yavruya ait veriler değerlendirilmiştir. Onikisi kuş ve dördü memeli olmak üzere toplamda onaltı farklı tür kayıt altına alınmıştır. Öksüz yavruların çoğunluğu kuşlardan (%89), azınlığı ise memelilerden (%11) oluşmuştur. Öksüz yavrular üreme sezonunda, yoğun olarak da Temmuz ayında (%45.8) merkeze kabul edilmiştir. Öksüz kuşların büyük kısmı (%94.3) kentsel alanlardan, öksüz memeliler ise daha çok (%84.6) kırsal alanlardan getirilmiştir. Rehabilitasyon merkezine kabul edilen öksüz yavruların çoğunluğu (%81.4) zarar görmemiş ve sağlıklıydı. Rehabilitasyon merkezindeki ölüm oranı (%47.5), yaban hayatına başarıyla salınanlardan (%40.7), esaret altında tutulanlardan (%5.9) ve ötenazi yapılanlardan (%5.9) daha yüksek bulunmuştur. Sağlıklı yavru oranı yüksek olmasına rağmen ölüm oranının yüksek olması rehabilitasyon sürecinin güçlüğünü ve uzmanlık gerektirdiğini göstermektedir. Sonuç olarak, insanlar tarafından bulunan her yabani yavru öksüz değildir. Sağlıklı yavruların yaşam alanlarında kontrollü bir şekilde bırakılması hayatta kalma şanslarını artırabilir. Bu konuda, hem rehabilitasyon merkezlerinde hem de toplumda eğitim ve bilinçlendirme faaliyetlerinin artırılmasının yaban hayatındaki öksüz yavru sorununu azaltacağı kanaatine varılmıştır.

Keywords

biyoçeşitlilik, koruma, kurtarma, yaban hayatı, Afyonkarahisar, Turkiye

Project Number

18.KARIYER.286

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