Identifying and Handling Contaminant-related Wildlife

Mortality/Morbidity

Steve Sheffield, Joe Sullivan, and Woody Hill

IntroductionIntroduction

►Wildlife biologists can encounter mortality Wildlife biologists can encounter mortality and/or morbidity incidents in the fieldand/or morbidity incidents in the field

►Mortality – incidence of deathMortality – incidence of death

►Morbidity – incidence of sickness/ill healthMorbidity – incidence of sickness/ill health

►Wildlife mortality/morbidity incidents can be Wildlife mortality/morbidity incidents can be natural, accidental, or result from disease or natural, accidental, or result from disease or exposure to environmental contaminants exposure to environmental contaminants

Environmental ContaminantsEnvironmental Contaminants

►Environmental contaminants include:Environmental contaminants include: pesticidespesticides metals/metalloidsmetals/metalloids organic chemicalsorganic chemicals inorganic chemicalsinorganic chemicals pharmaceutical drugspharmaceutical drugs natural plant/animal toxinsnatural plant/animal toxins

Contaminant ImpactsContaminant Impacts

►Understanding contaminant impacts involves Understanding contaminant impacts involves examination of many parameters:examination of many parameters: species (or higher taxa) involvedspecies (or higher taxa) involved trophic level of the species involvedtrophic level of the species involved chemical(s) involvedchemical(s) involved route(s) of exposureroute(s) of exposure signs of intoxicationsigns of intoxication fate and transport through the environmentfate and transport through the environment environmental compartment (media) involvedenvironmental compartment (media) involved environmental persistenceenvironmental persistence

Species Specific HazardsSpecies Specific Hazards►Not all contaminants pose the same hazard to all Not all contaminants pose the same hazard to all

taxonomic groups of animalstaxonomic groups of animals►Factors involved include:Factors involved include:

evolutionary status (detoxifying enzyme systems evolutionary status (detoxifying enzyme systems more advanced in mammals)more advanced in mammals)

physical /chemical properties of the chemical (e.g., physical /chemical properties of the chemical (e.g., lipid solubility, volatility, etc.)lipid solubility, volatility, etc.)

differing toxicities of chemicalsdiffering toxicities of chemicals routes(s) of exposureroutes(s) of exposure trophic level of the animaltrophic level of the animal

Trophic Level EffectsTrophic Level Effects

►Possible effects of trophic level:Possible effects of trophic level: Bioaccumulation – chemicals accumulate in Bioaccumulation – chemicals accumulate in

an animals faster than they can be an animals faster than they can be metabolized and excretedmetabolized and excreted

Biomagnification – results from Biomagnification – results from bioaccumulation and biotransfer where tissue bioaccumulation and biotransfer where tissue concentrations of a chemical moves up the concentrations of a chemical moves up the food chain through two or more trophic levels food chain through two or more trophic levels

Factors to ConsiderFactors to Consider

► Three factors to consider with discovery of a field mortality/morbidity Three factors to consider with discovery of a field mortality/morbidity incident suspected to be caused by environmental contaminants:incident suspected to be caused by environmental contaminants:

(1)(1) Time is of the essence! Generally, there is little time to Time is of the essence! Generally, there is little time to

plan/conduct a research study of the incidentplan/conduct a research study of the incident

(2)(2)Time available for collecting evidence such as tissue samplesTime available for collecting evidence such as tissue samples

and/or other environmental media (plants, soil, water, sediment, and/or other environmental media (plants, soil, water, sediment,

air) may be hours to a few days air) may be hours to a few days

(3)(3)Chemicals decompose, tissues decay/dessicate, and carcassesChemicals decompose, tissues decay/dessicate, and carcasses

are readily scavenged, all of which greatly affect time availableare readily scavenged, all of which greatly affect time available

for samplingfor sampling

Chapter ObjectiveChapter Objective

►Provide guidelines for wildlife biologists in the Provide guidelines for wildlife biologists in the field to assess wildlife mortality/ morbidity field to assess wildlife mortality/ morbidity incidents and sampling techniques useful in incidents and sampling techniques useful in detection and documentation of environmental detection and documentation of environmental contaminants impacting wildlifecontaminants impacting wildlife

Environmental ContaminantsEnvironmental Contaminants

► Human activities have resulted in the pervasive and dynamic Human activities have resulted in the pervasive and dynamic nature of contaminants in the environmentnature of contaminants in the environment

► Many different industries contribute to this contaminant load, Many different industries contribute to this contaminant load, including chemical, agriculture, mining, energy, electronics, including chemical, agriculture, mining, energy, electronics, pharmaceutical, pest control, and otherspharmaceutical, pest control, and others

► Greatest number of wildlife mortality/ morbidity incidents have Greatest number of wildlife mortality/ morbidity incidents have been reported for 2 specific categories of contaminants: been reported for 2 specific categories of contaminants:

Anticholinesterase (anti-ChE) insecticides Anticholinesterase (anti-ChE) insecticides Anticoagulant rodenticidesAnticoagulant rodenticides

Routes of Exposure to Routes of Exposure to Environmental ContaminantsEnvironmental Contaminants

►OralOral Primary consumption of contaminantPrimary consumption of contaminant Secondary poisoning from consumption of poisoned Secondary poisoning from consumption of poisoned

prey item prey item ►DermalDermal►InhalationInhalation►Placental/Egg yolkPlacental/Egg yolk

Possible Effects of Possible Effects of Environmental ContaminantsEnvironmental Contaminants

►Lethal effects – death of the animalLethal effects – death of the animal

►Sublethal effects – serve to debilitate an exposed Sublethal effects – serve to debilitate an exposed animal; reduced survival, growth, and animal; reduced survival, growth, and reproductive rates can occur from impacts on reproductive rates can occur from impacts on one or more bodily systemsone or more bodily systems

Lethal Effects of Lethal Effects of Environmental ContaminantsEnvironmental Contaminants

►The full extent of wildlife mortality from The full extent of wildlife mortality from contaminants is difficult to assess – wildlife contaminants is difficult to assess – wildlife species often are secretive, camouflaged, species often are secretive, camouflaged, mobile, live in dense habitat mobile, live in dense habitat

►Typical field studies often reveal low estimates Typical field studies often reveal low estimates of mortality because carcasses disappear rapidlyof mortality because carcasses disappear rapidly

Difficulties in Conducting Difficulties in Conducting Field StudiesField Studies

► Most animal carcasses disappear within 24-48 hours; Most animal carcasses disappear within 24-48 hours; scavenging rate very highscavenging rate very high

► Exposed animals that become sick may move from area Exposed animals that become sick may move from area or otherwise disappearor otherwise disappear

► Exposed animals may not always demonstrate visible Exposed animals may not always demonstrate visible signs of morbiditysigns of morbidity

► Exposed animals may become more vulnerable to Exposed animals may become more vulnerable to predation or other mortality factor as a result of predation or other mortality factor as a result of exposureexposure

Classes of ContaminantsClasses of Contaminants

►Metals/MetalloidsMetals/Metalloids

►Organic ChemicalsOrganic Chemicals

► Inorganic ChemicalsInorganic Chemicals

►PharmaceuticalsPharmaceuticals

►PesticidesPesticides

►Natural Plant/Animal ToxinsNatural Plant/Animal Toxins

MetalsMetals

►Metals can be essential or non-essential; that is, Metals can be essential or non-essential; that is, they may or may not have biological functionthey may or may not have biological function

►Non-essential metals are most hazardous to Non-essential metals are most hazardous to wildlife species; they can enter body and replace wildlife species; they can enter body and replace those which are essentialthose which are essential

►Non-essential metals of most concern: Hg, Pb, Non-essential metals of most concern: Hg, Pb, Cd, CrCd, Cr+6+6

MetalloidsMetalloids►Metalloids are transitory between metals and Metalloids are transitory between metals and

non-metalsnon-metals

►Metalloids can be essential or non-essential; that Metalloids can be essential or non-essential; that is, they may or may not have biological functionis, they may or may not have biological function

►Non-essential metalloids are most hazardous to Non-essential metalloids are most hazardous to wildlife species; they can enter body and replace wildlife species; they can enter body and replace those which are essentialthose which are essential

►Non-essential metalloids of most concern: As, Non-essential metalloids of most concern: As, SeSe

Organic ChemicalsOrganic Chemicals

►Organic chemicals are based on C-H pairs Organic chemicals are based on C-H pairs ranging from single carbon chains to multiple ranging from single carbon chains to multiple aromatic ringsaromatic rings

►Organic chemicals of most concern are: organic Organic chemicals of most concern are: organic solvents, ethylene glycol, petroleum products solvents, ethylene glycol, petroleum products (PAHs), and polyhalogenated compounds (PAHs), and polyhalogenated compounds (PCBs, PBDEs, PCDDs, PCDFs, PFOSs) (PCBs, PBDEs, PCDDs, PCDFs, PFOSs)

Inorganic ChemicalsInorganic Chemicals

►Inorganic chemicals are a diverse group that do Inorganic chemicals are a diverse group that do not have carbon as their principal elementsnot have carbon as their principal elements

►Includes 4 general groups: alkalis and chlorine, Includes 4 general groups: alkalis and chlorine, industrial gases, inorganic pigments, and industrial gases, inorganic pigments, and industrial inorganic chemicalsindustrial inorganic chemicals

►Two inorganic chemicals pose a particular Two inorganic chemicals pose a particular hazard to wildlife species: cyanide and white hazard to wildlife species: cyanide and white phosphorus phosphorus

PharmaceuticalsPharmaceuticals

►There is a wide diversity of pharmaceutical There is a wide diversity of pharmaceutical drugs, hormones, and related organic wastewater drugs, hormones, and related organic wastewater contaminants that pose a potential hazard to contaminants that pose a potential hazard to wildlife specieswildlife species

►Most of these prescription drugs have not been Most of these prescription drugs have not been tested for effects on wildlifetested for effects on wildlife

►Two pharmaceutical drugs that have caused Two pharmaceutical drugs that have caused numerous mortality/morbidity incidents are numerous mortality/morbidity incidents are sodium pentobarbital and diclofenacsodium pentobarbital and diclofenac

PesticidesPesticides

►Pesticide – any substance or mixture of Pesticide – any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pestrepelling, or mitigating any pest

►Unique contaminant category – intentionally Unique contaminant category – intentionally released into environmentreleased into environment

►Specific classes of pesticides of major concern Specific classes of pesticides of major concern to wildlife include insecticides, herbicides, to wildlife include insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, fumigants, rodenticides, avicides fungicides, fumigants, rodenticides, avicides

Pesticides (Insecticides)Pesticides (Insecticides)

►Most are neurotoxicants – target insect nervous Most are neurotoxicants – target insect nervous systemsystem

►Four distinct groups of insecticides include:Four distinct groups of insecticides include: chlorinated hydrocarbons (e.g., DDT)chlorinated hydrocarbons (e.g., DDT) anti-cholinesterases (organophosphorus and anti-cholinesterases (organophosphorus and

carbamate compounds)carbamate compounds) synthetic pyrethroids synthetic pyrethroids other botanicals (e.g, nicotine, rotenone) other botanicals (e.g, nicotine, rotenone)

Pesticides (Herbicides)Pesticides (Herbicides)

►Herbicides are chemical compounds capable of Herbicides are chemical compounds capable of either killing or severely injuring plantseither killing or severely injuring plants

►There are at least 65 different broad classes and There are at least 65 different broad classes and >22 different chemical groups of herbicides, >22 different chemical groups of herbicides, including: (germination inhibitors, including: (germination inhibitors, photosynthesis inhibitors, meristem inhibitors, photosynthesis inhibitors, meristem inhibitors, contact action, auxin growth regulators, and contact action, auxin growth regulators, and foliar grass inhibitorsfoliar grass inhibitors

Pesticides (Fungicides)Pesticides (Fungicides)

►Fungicides derived from a wide variety of Fungicides derived from a wide variety of chemicals whose focus is to kill fungichemicals whose focus is to kill fungi

►There are at least 36 different chemical groups There are at least 36 different chemical groups of fungicides – a direct result of the great of fungicides – a direct result of the great diversity of fungidiversity of fungi

►There are 3 general types of fungicides: foliar, There are 3 general types of fungicides: foliar, soil, and dressingssoil, and dressings

Pesticides (Fumigants)Pesticides (Fumigants)

►Fumigants are used to kill insects, nematodes, Fumigants are used to kill insects, nematodes, weed seeds, and fungi in soil as well as in stored weed seeds, and fungi in soil as well as in stored grains, fruit, vegetables, clothes, and other grains, fruit, vegetables, clothes, and other productsproducts

►They usually are used in enclosed spaces due to They usually are used in enclosed spaces due to the high volatility of the chemicalsthe high volatility of the chemicals

►They generally are nonselective, highly reactive, They generally are nonselective, highly reactive, and cytotoxicand cytotoxic

Pesticides (Rodenticides)Pesticides (Rodenticides)

►Rodenticides were developed to control pest Rodenticides were developed to control pest small mammals (particularly rodents)small mammals (particularly rodents)

►They cam be categorized into several groups: They cam be categorized into several groups: inorganic (metal-based) compounds (e.g., thallium inorganic (metal-based) compounds (e.g., thallium

sulfate)sulfate) insecticides (e.g., DDT)insecticides (e.g., DDT) natural plant toxins (e.g., strychnine)natural plant toxins (e.g., strychnine) anti-coagulants (warfarin, brodifacoum, etc.)anti-coagulants (warfarin, brodifacoum, etc.)

Pesticides (Avicides)Pesticides (Avicides)

►Avicides were developed to control avian pests, Avicides were developed to control avian pests, particularly flocking species such as European particularly flocking species such as European starlings, blackbirds, and pigeonsstarlings, blackbirds, and pigeons

►Several different insecticides and other Several different insecticides and other pesticides with avicidal properties have been pesticides with avicidal properties have been used for this purposeused for this purpose

Natural Plant/Animal ToxinsNatural Plant/Animal Toxins

►Natural plant and animal toxins are toxic Natural plant and animal toxins are toxic chemicals of biological origin chemicals of biological origin

►Produced by living organisms such as bacteria, Produced by living organisms such as bacteria, blue-green algae, fungi, marine invertebrates and blue-green algae, fungi, marine invertebrates and fishes, vascular plants, and poisonous aquatic fishes, vascular plants, and poisonous aquatic and terrestrial animal speciesand terrestrial animal species

Natural Plant ToxinsNatural Plant Toxins

►Natural plant toxins – secondary plant Natural plant toxins – secondary plant compounds, some of which are used as the basis compounds, some of which are used as the basis for pesticides (e.g., nicotine, pyrethrum, for pesticides (e.g., nicotine, pyrethrum, rotenone, etc.)rotenone, etc.)

►Chemical groups which can be highly toxic Chemical groups which can be highly toxic include alkaloids, tannins, phenols, lectins, include alkaloids, tannins, phenols, lectins, glycosides, and terpenes, among othersglycosides, and terpenes, among others

Natural Animals ToxinsNatural Animals Toxins

►Three groups of microbial organisms (bacteria, Three groups of microbial organisms (bacteria, algae, fungi) are capable of producing some of algae, fungi) are capable of producing some of the most deadly toxins knownthe most deadly toxins known

►Examples of this include: botulinum (bacteria), Examples of this include: botulinum (bacteria), harmful algal blooms (blue-green algae in fresh harmful algal blooms (blue-green algae in fresh and brackish waters, phytoplankton in marine and brackish waters, phytoplankton in marine waters, mycotoxins (fungi)waters, mycotoxins (fungi)

Contaminant Diagnostics - SafetyContaminant Diagnostics - Safety

►Personal safety is a primary concern in a wildlife Personal safety is a primary concern in a wildlife mortality/morbidity incidentmortality/morbidity incident

►Field investigators should not handle carcasses, Field investigators should not handle carcasses, collect environmental samples, or enter the area of collect environmental samples, or enter the area of the incident until adequate safety precautions have the incident until adequate safety precautions have been takenbeen taken

► If contaminant is known, information can be found If contaminant is known, information can be found regarding its toxicity; if contaminant is unknown, regarding its toxicity; if contaminant is unknown, only trained personnel should attempt to enter site only trained personnel should attempt to enter site for samplesfor samples

Contaminant Diagnostics – Safety 2Contaminant Diagnostics – Safety 2

►Once contaminant(s) identified, proper protective Once contaminant(s) identified, proper protective clothing (including on feet and hands) for the clothing (including on feet and hands) for the contaminant(s) should be worncontaminant(s) should be worn

►When retrieving carcasses or debilitated animals from When retrieving carcasses or debilitated animals from water, impermeable gloves and rubber boots should water, impermeable gloves and rubber boots should be wornbe worn

►Depending upon the contaminant(s) involved, Depending upon the contaminant(s) involved, respirators and/or TYVEK suits may be requiredrespirators and/or TYVEK suits may be required

Contaminant Diagnostics – Safety 3Contaminant Diagnostics – Safety 3

► In hot/humid weather, heavy protective wear can be In hot/humid weather, heavy protective wear can be dangerous, so work periods should be shortened to dangerous, so work periods should be shortened to prevent heat stressprevent heat stress

►A clean, shaded area should be provided where A clean, shaded area should be provided where workers can remove protective wear, cool off, and workers can remove protective wear, cool off, and get rehydratedget rehydrated

► If disease is suspected, the list of precautions not as If disease is suspected, the list of precautions not as extensive as for contaminants because diseases extensive as for contaminants because diseases generally are more species-specific than generally are more species-specific than contaminantscontaminants

Contaminant Diagnosis – Initial Site Contaminant Diagnosis – Initial Site ReconnaissanceReconnaissance

► Three rules govern initiation of any wildlife Three rules govern initiation of any wildlife mortality/morbidity investigation:mortality/morbidity investigation:

(1)(1)Protect yourself and other involvedProtect yourself and other involved

(2)(2)Obtain the best case history possibleObtain the best case history possible

(3)(3)Collect the best specimens possibleCollect the best specimens possible

► Handling and collection of specimens in the field will Handling and collection of specimens in the field will affect what the laboratory can (and cannot) do with themaffect what the laboratory can (and cannot) do with them

Contaminant Diagnosis – Initial Site Contaminant Diagnosis – Initial Site Reconnaissance 2Reconnaissance 2

►When possible, notify a wildlife veterinarian (or When possible, notify a wildlife veterinarian (or other trained personnel) and wait for their arrival other trained personnel) and wait for their arrival prior to initiating the investigationprior to initiating the investigation

►It is critical to presume that there will be legal It is critical to presume that there will be legal implications of the investigation and the cause implications of the investigation and the cause may be a highly toxic or contagious agentmay be a highly toxic or contagious agent

►Field notes and documentation that begin with Field notes and documentation that begin with initial stages of investigation are important initial stages of investigation are important

Contaminant Diagnosis – Initial Site Contaminant Diagnosis – Initial Site Reconnaissance 3Reconnaissance 3

► Initial ID of chemical(s) causing the incident should Initial ID of chemical(s) causing the incident should be attempted if it can be done safelybe attempted if it can be done safely

Early ID of the contaminant can: dictate safety Early ID of the contaminant can: dictate safety precautions needed precautions needed

direct types of samples that should be collecteddirect types of samples that should be collected How samples should be handledHow samples should be handled

►If source and cause of incident are not obvious, If source and cause of incident are not obvious, field investigator should err on side of safety, field investigator should err on side of safety, collecting samples inclusively collecting samples inclusively

Contaminant Diagnosis – Initial Site Contaminant Diagnosis – Initial Site Reconnaissance 4Reconnaissance 4

►As a starting point to decide whether the cause is disease As a starting point to decide whether the cause is disease or contaminant-related, consider the species affectedor contaminant-related, consider the species affected

► If a single species (or group of related species) is If a single species (or group of related species) is affected, disease more than likely involved; if many affected, disease more than likely involved; if many different taxa affected, contaminants more than likely different taxa affected, contaminants more than likely involvedinvolved

►Upon initial discovery of the wildlife Upon initial discovery of the wildlife mortality/morbidity site, the nearest wildlife mortality/morbidity site, the nearest wildlife contaminant expert should be contactedcontaminant expert should be contacted

Contaminant Diagnosis – Initial Site Contaminant Diagnosis – Initial Site Reconnaissance 5Reconnaissance 5

►Mortality incidents – personal safety of utmost Mortality incidents – personal safety of utmost importance because if a contaminant is present importance because if a contaminant is present in concentrations high enough to kill or in concentrations high enough to kill or debilitate wildlife, it may pose a health hazard to debilitate wildlife, it may pose a health hazard to the field biologistthe field biologist

►In many cases, locating carcasses can be In many cases, locating carcasses can be difficult and exposure to contaminants is difficult and exposure to contaminants is obviousobvious

Contaminant Diagnosis – Initial Site Contaminant Diagnosis – Initial Site Reconnaissance 6Reconnaissance 6

►Once carcasses found, immediate goals are:Once carcasses found, immediate goals are: to prevent further deathsto prevent further deaths identify the cause and source of contaminant involvedidentify the cause and source of contaminant involved

►The risk of contaminants to wildlife is dependent The risk of contaminants to wildlife is dependent on: on: toxicity toxicity concentration concentration route of exposureroute of exposure

Contaminant Diagnosis – Initial Site Contaminant Diagnosis – Initial Site Reconnaissance 7Reconnaissance 7

►Morbidity – discovery of sick (morbid) animals Morbidity – discovery of sick (morbid) animals requires fast action to be takenrequires fast action to be taken

►Morbid animals may be able to fully recover if Morbid animals may be able to fully recover if treated in timetreated in time

►Prior to collecting morbid animals, destination must Prior to collecting morbid animals, destination must be identified and appropriate transport containers be identified and appropriate transport containers obtainedobtained

►Transportation and treatment of wildlife species Transportation and treatment of wildlife species usually require specific permitsusually require specific permits

Contaminant Diagnostics – The Contaminant Diagnostics – The Wildlife Contamination InvestigationWildlife Contamination Investigation► Investigations of wildlife mortality/morbidity Investigations of wildlife mortality/morbidity

incidents suspected to be caused by contaminants incidents suspected to be caused by contaminants should proceed as though the cause was unknownshould proceed as though the cause was unknown

►All factors must be checked or eliminated unless All factors must be checked or eliminated unless there is solid evidence to support specific there is solid evidence to support specific conclusionsconclusions

► Initial decision as to whether or not an incident is Initial decision as to whether or not an incident is contaminant-related is a process of eliminationcontaminant-related is a process of elimination

Contaminant Diagnostics – The Contaminant Diagnostics – The Wildlife Contamination InvestigationWildlife Contamination Investigation►Document the incident with detailed field notes and Document the incident with detailed field notes and

photographsphotographs

►The investigator’s interpretation of the wildlife The investigator’s interpretation of the wildlife mortality/morbidity incident scene will affect the mortality/morbidity incident scene will affect the type, number, and location of samples taken and the type, number, and location of samples taken and the analyses performedanalyses performed

►Wildlife mortality/morbidity incidents may be a Wildlife mortality/morbidity incidents may be a result of illegal activities, thus has the potential to result of illegal activities, thus has the potential to become a legal casebecome a legal case

Contaminant Diagnostics – The Contaminant Diagnostics – The Wildlife Contamination InvestigationWildlife Contamination Investigation► Important factors in interpretation of the incident Important factors in interpretation of the incident

scene include:scene include: locationlocation time and date of incidenttime and date of incident species involvedspecies involved # of dead and/or sick animals# of dead and/or sick animals rate of deathsrate of deaths chance of continuing mortality/morbiditychance of continuing mortality/morbidity clinical signs observedclinical signs observed climatic conditionsclimatic conditions

Field Procedures – Sample Field Procedures – Sample Documentation and TransportDocumentation and Transport

►It is critical that samples collected in the field be It is critical that samples collected in the field be handled properly to ensure that useable handled properly to ensure that useable information can be obtainedinformation can be obtained

►All samples should be properly bagged and All samples should be properly bagged and labeledlabeled

►Label should include what type of specimen, Label should include what type of specimen, location it was collected, sample date/time, location it was collected, sample date/time, name of person collecting the samplename of person collecting the sample

Field Procedures – Sample Field Procedures – Sample Documentation and TransportDocumentation and Transport

►Samples should be placed on ice in the field as Samples should be placed on ice in the field as some contaminants degrade quickly and some contaminants degrade quickly and tissues/carcasses can degrade quickly at warm tissues/carcasses can degrade quickly at warm temperaturestemperatures

►Once samples are taken from the field, they Once samples are taken from the field, they should be hard frozenshould be hard frozen

►Samples for contaminant analysis should be Samples for contaminant analysis should be transported frozen or on dry icetransported frozen or on dry ice

Field Procedures – Sample Field Procedures – Sample Documentation and TransportDocumentation and Transport

►Handling samples – techniques for handling Handling samples – techniques for handling field-collected samples can vary by contaminant field-collected samples can vary by contaminant typetype

►When animal tissues are collected, great care When animal tissues are collected, great care should be taken to avoid cross-contaminationshould be taken to avoid cross-contamination

►Tissues can be placed into plastic bags or small, Tissues can be placed into plastic bags or small, sterile glass jars; larger samples can be placed in sterile glass jars; larger samples can be placed in zip-lock bags zip-lock bags

Field Procedures – Record KeepingField Procedures – Record Keeping

►A field log is useful to make entries regarding A field log is useful to make entries regarding each sample collected for analysiseach sample collected for analysis

►Entries should include:Entries should include: sample ID numbersample ID number type of sample collectedtype of sample collected name of site where collection occurredname of site where collection occurred datedate name or initials of person collecting the samplename or initials of person collecting the sample

Field Procedures – Record KeepingField Procedures – Record Keeping

►Accurate record keeping is critical to Accurate record keeping is critical to documenting wildlife mortality/morbidity documenting wildlife mortality/morbidity incidentsincidents

►The more detailed information provided on the The more detailed information provided on the field data sheet, the better the chances the field data sheet, the better the chances the investigator(s) of the incident will be able to investigator(s) of the incident will be able to understand what happenedunderstand what happened

Field Procedures – Sample CollectionField Procedures – Sample Collection

► In addition to wildlife tissue samples, other In addition to wildlife tissue samples, other environmental samples also are criticalenvironmental samples also are critical

►Environmental samples should be collected from the Environmental samples should be collected from the immediate area of where dead or debilitated animals are immediate area of where dead or debilitated animals are foundfound

►Those experienced with site and contaminant types can Those experienced with site and contaminant types can provide advice on number of samples required and how provide advice on number of samples required and how far samples should be collected from the original site far samples should be collected from the original site

Field Procedures – Sample CollectionField Procedures – Sample Collection

►In addition to animal tissues, samples can be In addition to animal tissues, samples can be taken from other environmental media, such as:taken from other environmental media, such as: Plant tissuesPlant tissues SoilSoil Water/sedimentWater/sediment AirAir

Laboratory Procedures – Residue Laboratory Procedures – Residue AnalysisAnalysis

►Conducting residue analysis requires Conducting residue analysis requires consideration of many factors, such as:consideration of many factors, such as: cost (generally expensive)cost (generally expensive) detection limitsdetection limits QA/QC (quality assurance/quality control)QA/QC (quality assurance/quality control) how to read and interpret the chemical analysis how to read and interpret the chemical analysis

reportreport how to interpret the toxicological datahow to interpret the toxicological data

Laboratory Procedures – Residue Laboratory Procedures – Residue AnalysisAnalysis

► Interpretation of residue analysis data can be trickyInterpretation of residue analysis data can be tricky

►Overall, we know very little about how body residue Overall, we know very little about how body residue levels of contaminants correlate to corresponding effects levels of contaminants correlate to corresponding effects seen in wildlife speciesseen in wildlife species

►Correlating contaminant levels in the body (exposure) Correlating contaminant levels in the body (exposure) with an effect provides the most powerful use of residue with an effect provides the most powerful use of residue analysis dataanalysis data

SUMMARYSUMMARY

►A wide variety and volume of chemical A wide variety and volume of chemical contaminants are found in the environment, and contaminants are found in the environment, and frequently have been shown to exert negative frequently have been shown to exert negative impacts (mortality, morbidity) on wildlife speciesimpacts (mortality, morbidity) on wildlife species

►As a result, wildlife mortality/morbidity incidents As a result, wildlife mortality/morbidity incidents will occurwill occur

►There is a strong need for field biologists to be able There is a strong need for field biologists to be able to adequately identify and handle these incidentsto adequately identify and handle these incidents

SUMMARY - 2SUMMARY - 2

►Few field biologists receive training in Few field biologists receive training in environmental or wildlife toxicology, thus it is environmental or wildlife toxicology, thus it is important that field biologists have a source for SOPs important that field biologists have a source for SOPs for successfully handling wildlife for successfully handling wildlife mortality/morbidity incidentsmortality/morbidity incidents

►This chapter provides field biologists with guidance This chapter provides field biologists with guidance on understanding wildlife toxicology and procedures on understanding wildlife toxicology and procedures that should be followed when confronted with a that should be followed when confronted with a wildlife mortality/morbidity incidentwildlife mortality/morbidity incident

““The dose makes the poison”The dose makes the poison” ParacelsusParacelsus

THE ENDTHE END