Wild Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) Rehabilitation: Natural History for Veterinarians

摘要

The successful rehabilitation and reintroduction of wild trumpeter swans is fundamentally related to the natural history of that rare species. The principal contributing injurious factor is the negative impact of humans on trumpeter swan habitat. Accurate assessment must, in addition to medical presentation, take into consideration the season of the year, sex, family position, age, and weight of each individual bird. The veterinary work is challenging; for example, fracture repairs must be almost perfect for a swan to survive in the wild. Any significant physical compromise, such as wing length or extension, sentences a wild swan to captivity. Additionally, post-medical care is complicated and should be the responsibility of licensed rehabilitatorsexperienced in working with swans. Reintroduction protocol and the release site must be established for each case and absolutely respected.