Large Pelagic seabirds: Picture Albatrosses, Mollymawks & Giant Petrels of bird For iden fica on and species info refer to: www.nzbirdsonline.org.nz
Introduc on Ecology and life history New Zealand has the highest diversity of Normal adult weight range: Adult Buller’s mollymawks can weigh as albatrosses and mollymawks with 12 li le as 2.5kg while the Southern Royal Albatross can weigh up to species that breed on NZ's sub-antarc c 10kg. Due to the variability of normal weight ranges between species islands and 7 endemic species. It is unlikely and within species it is recommended to calculate doses based on that large numbers of these birds would be individual body weights. effected during a single oil spill event Moult: Gradual, mostly during their non-breeding year but con nues unless it occurs near a breeding colony. into breeding. Biennial wing moult - outer primaries one year, inner Although albatrosses are in the group primaries the next year. commonly called "tubenoses", they differ Breeding: All albatross species and the grey-headed mollymawk from other tubenose families in that their produce a single young every two years. Incuba ng and rearing a chick tube-shaped nostrils are separated and takes 1 year and then take one year to recover. located on either side of the bill. All birds The other mollymawk species and the two giant petrel species breed in the order Procellariformes (including once a year, usually from August to May. petrels and shearwaters) have three front- Lifespan: Long-lived facing toes with webbing. Diet: Water surface scavengers
Personal protec ve equipment (PPE): Appropriate PPE must be worn when capturing and handling oiled wildlife to prevent exposure to oil (disposable nitrile gloves, safety glasses/goggles, protec on for clothing e.g. Tyvec suit). Old towels or blue incon nence pads are useful to handle oiled birds as they can be discarded once soiled. Capture Handling Consider the safety of both humans and birds. Wear thick protec ve gloves (eg. Gardwell® Garden Masonary These large birds require a run up and winds of at gloves from Bunnings) to protect hands from sharp edges of bill. least 20km/h in order to take off and therefore These birds are in the group called "tubenoses". They have when an oiled bird is stranded on land they are external nostrils on the top surface of the bill and therefore they rela vely easy to approach and capture. Ensure can breathe when their bill is closed. that someone is standing between the bird and Their bill can be restrained by grasping the water to prevent them from entering it. Birds above with fingers and below with the on land can be captured by hand using a large thumb, ensuring that the nostrils are not towel to restrain the bird's wings and cover the covered (pictured). Use a large towel to head or using a long-handled fishing net. If the restrain wings and legs and tuck the bird is si ng on water use a large long-handled body under the arm while holding the net. This group of birds will o en regurgitate bill in the other hand. Handling for stomach oil as a defense mechanism. Take care feeding is best done with two people - not to get oil on feathers. one to restrain and one to feed.
Transport to WARNING – NEVER place your eyes close to holes in transport boxes. Herons, gannets & cormorants will lunge at eyes causing serious injury or blindness. facility Transport box: made of plas c (NOT wood) as oil contamina on can be cleaned and the box reused. Best op on is an PetPak carrier: Model PP90, XXXXXL, 77(W) x 131(L) x 85(H) cm ONE bird per box Flooring: Correct flooring in the transport box is important. It should (i) be so and non-abrasive in order to prevent development of bumblefoot during transport, (ii) be non-slip so that the bird can steady itself and (iii) prevent build up of faecal ma er that can cause urate burns. Blue-tube rubber ma ng covered with blue incon nence pads or a suspended ne ng floor are the best op ons. Folded newspaper is inappropriate as it becomes too slippery when contaminated by faeces. Shredded paper, straw, hay and seagrass should be avoided as it increases the risk of Aspergillosis
Vehicle transport: van or ute, with canopy and a separate air space from people to prevent inhala on of oil fumes. Ideally temperature controlled (hea ng on cold days, cooling on hot days). Large pelagic seabirds HUSBANDRY REQUIREMENTS Housing Keep indoors and temperature controlled at 25-27°C because oiled animals cannot thermoregulate. pre-cleaning The area must be well ven lated to disperse the oil fumes.
(oiled) Enclosure: • Keep in temperature controlled rooms. • Enclosures should be large enough to allow birds to stretch their wings. Minimum recommended dimensions are 6 (length) x 3 (width) x 2 (height) meters. • If room is very large then build temporary aviaries with a roof. Ensure walls of temporary enclosure are made of materials that can easily be cleaned of oil such as plas c or metal, not wood. Examples of suitable walls include temporary metal fencing with walls and roof lined with shade cloth to prevent damage to feathers. Ensure metal fencing is not galvanised with zinc or lead as this could lead to heavy metal poisoning if the birds chew on the fence. • Only ONE bird per room/aviary as they can be very aggressive toward each other. • Reduce visibility of humans and noise to minimise stress.
Flooring • Best op on is fine (0.5cm) non-kno ed co on ne ng using PVC pipe as a frame and suspended at least 15cm above floor. • Alterna vely blue tube ma ng can be used (available at hardware stores) • Correct flooring is very important to prevent uric acid and faecal buildup which can cause feather damage and bumblefoot. • Avoid oil coming into contact with a concrete floor as it is very difficult to clean. Line floor with heavy duty plas c sheets (e.g. pond liner or large garbage bags) then place ne ng or tube ma ng on top.
Housing Enclosure: post-cleaning • Outdoor aviary with shade cloth covering the roof and walls. Large enough to allow them to stretch their wings. Minimum recommended dimensions are 6 (length) x 3 (width) x 2m (height). (no oil) Flooring • Blue tube ma ng on floor to prevent uric acid and faecal buildup and bumblefoot. NOTE: grey tube flooring is harder than the blue version which increases risk of bumblefoot.
Burrows • Hides are not necessary as they do not normally burrow. Solitary • Albatrossess and mollymawks are generally solitary birds and only come together during the breeding season. Therefore they are best housed separately. Pool • Seabirds in the rehabilita on phase need access to water in their enclosure to aid waterproofing. • Suitable pool types: built-in, large plas c containers or plas c (non-inflatable) child’s pool. • Non-slip ramps to allow easy access and exit of water. • Preferably use seawater, but freshwater can be used. If using freshwater then provide birds with a salt supplement in order to maintain salt glands (see “Supplements” sec on). • No need to heat pool water. • Con nuous flow of water is required to prevent buildup of fish oil and faeces on the surface of the water which inhibits the waterproofing process. This is most easily achieved by placing a hose above the pool allowing the running water to break the surface of the pool water and le ng it overflow. Good drainage around the pool is required.
Transport As per handling instruc ons. within facility If bird is oiled then appropriate PPE must be worn to prevent oil exposure. Use large towels for restraint and dispose if contaminated with oil. Cover head to reduce visual s muli and stress. Iden fica on Leg band (temporary iden fica on to be removed before release) Large pelagic seabirds NUTRITION, SUPPLEMENTS and FLUIDS At admission Triage assessment: physical examina on by trained personnel (preferably a veterinarian) Record cloacal temperature. Give fluids at ini al stabilisa on rates below. FOOT PROTECTION ON ARRIVAL: Large pelagic seabirds are par cularly vulnerable to pressure sores on their feet because they normally rest on water rather than land. The weight of their heavy body when dry-docked can cause pressure sores to develop within a few hours. To prevent bumblefoot, bandage both feet on arrival: 1st layer non- adherent gauze dressing on plantar surface, 2nd layer 3-5mm thick foam shee ng cut to shape of foot on plantar surface, 3rd layer so ban, 4th layer vet wrap. Change bandages every 2-3 days depending on degree of soiling. Fluid rate Ini al stabilisa on: 80-100ml/kg BW/day divided into two doses PO Once hydrated: 60-70ml/kg BW/day divided into two doses PO Fluid type Large pelagic seabirds are highly suscep ble to salt gland atrophy and hyponatremia. For long term maintenance give 3% saline solu on (30g/L) OR isotonic fluids WITH salt supplements Amount Feed 10% of body weight (BW) TWICE a day. (i.e. 20% of body weight total each day) Food type If weak, emaciated and dehydrated: Give oral electrolyte fluids at ‘ini al stabilisa on’ rate listed above for 24 hours to rehydrate gut. Use either: Equal parts (50:50) Hartmann’s solu on and 2.5% dextrose in 0.45% saline 5% dextrose in 0.9% saline or Vytrate®/Lectade®
Once gut is hydrated, then start with small amounts of fish slurry. If able to take solids: human grade small whole salmon or large salmon cut into pieces. Food Fish slurry: Place human grade salmon in heavy duty blender and blend. Add just enough isotonic prepara on (0.9% NaCl) fluid to blender to achieve a smooth consistency. Sieve slurry using a metal sieve to remove any chunks that may clog the feeding tube. Discard a er 24 in the refrigerator. Whole fish: : Ideally defrost covered in refrigerator to retain nutri onal quality. However, if large amounts of food are required then fish can be defrosted under cold running water immediately before feeding so long as vitamin supplements are given. Supplements ① Mazuri seabird vitamins: 1 tablet per 225g fish. (Available at Carlyle Vet Clinic, Napier 06 835 1096). ② Itraconazole (Sporonox): 5mg/kg BW PO once daily via so crop tube to prevent Aspergillosis. ③ Salt (sodium chloride): 3% saline solu on PO (see fluid type and rates) OR 100mg/kg BW SID PO Delivery & Warm fluids and slurry to 38-40°C. Large volumes of fluid and fish slurry are easier to deliver with a device large, plas c, lamb stomach tube 16” in length (pictured) and 60ml catheter- p syringe. Force feed (FF) whole fish head first. Some birds will learn to feed from shallow bowls or take fish by hand. Others will need the head restrained and bill opened to place fish into the back of the mouth. Once the fish is far enough to the back of the throat the bird should swallow it down – release the head at this stage to allow the animal to swallow. Feeding is most safely done with two people. Avoid ge ng fish juices on the skin and feathers at the corner of the mouth as this disrupts waterproofing and causes derma s. If fish juice/oil gets onto skin or feathers DO NOT ATTEMPT TO WIPE OFF. Rinse area with a large syringe of water and allow bird to preen. HEALTH SCREENING Venepuncture sites: The medial metatarsal vein is the easiest to access. Brachial vein can also be used.
Anaemia Kidney func on Birds exposed to oil can quickly become anaemic Uric acid (UA) levels in birds are a measure of kidney (decreased red blood cells) due to the toxic affects of oil func on. Elevated UA levels >600 IU/dl indicate that the and starva on. As a minimum, packed cell volume (PCV) kidneys are failing or the animal is severely dehydrated, and serum total protein (TP) should be measured at both of which commonly occur in oiled birds. (1) intake (2) pre-wash (3) post-wash (4) pre-release. Treatment: IV or PO isotonic fluids at twice maintenance Severely anaemic (PCV<15-20) birds require blood rates (100ml/kg/24 hours) transfusion. Birds should not be released un l their UA levels return Birds should not be: to within the normal range (<600 IU/dl). If UA levels • washed un l PCV ≥30% and TP ≥25g/L remain elevated despite treatment then the bird likely • released un l their PCV and TP levels return to within has irreversible kidney failure and should be euthanised the normal range = PCV 32-40%, TP 37-60g/L. on humane grounds. Large pelagic seabirds
Common Medica ons Problems associated with cap vity ALL secondary complica ons require veterinary a en on An -fungals: Preventa ve treatment of Aspergillosis 1. Aspergillosis (a severe respiratory fungal infec on) is highly A serious, life-threatening respiratory fungal infec on. recommended as these birds are extremely suscep ble Clinical signs include noisy or difficulty breathing. to this life-threatening disease when in cap vity.
Itraconazole available only by veterinary prescrip on. 2. Pressure sores: Keel lesions, Hock lesions or See dose rate on page 1. Pododerma s (bumblefoot) Large pelagic seabirds are par cularly vulnerable to An bio cs: are only required if the animal has an open pressure sores because they normally rest on water or infected wound or known bacterial infec on and rather than land. The weight of their heavy body when should only be given if prescribed by a veterinarian a er dry-docked can cause pressure sores to develop quickly. examina on of the animal. Birds that are unable to stand are highly likely to Dose rates: Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 125mg/kg PO BID develop keel and hock lesions so it essen al to place appropriate padding, such as a rolled up towel in a U- Enrofloxacin 5-10mg/kg PO BID shape to help prop their body up. Pain relief: is only required if the animal has a painful In large pelagic birds this condi on is best prevented condi on (e.g. open wound) and should only be given if with appropriate padding, foot bandaging, good prescribed by a veterinarian a er examina on of the husbandry and appropriate floor coverings. Depending animal. Dose rates: on severity the bird may require surgery. Treatment involves specific wound care and bandaging. Meloxicam (for mild to moderate so ssue pain) 0.5-1 mg/kg BID 3. Trauma c injuries Butorphanol (for moderate to severe bone pain) Trauma c injuries such as bone fractures can occur in 5mg/kg IM ideally every 2-3hours but can be given cap vity due to excessive force used during handling or twice a day issues in the enclosure (eg. gaps where legs or wings can get stuck). Ac vated charcoal: not recommended 4. Feather damage Washing Usually occurs from inappropriate handling or Birds must be stable and strong enough to withstand the enclosure. Birds cannot be released if feather damage stress of washing. This may mean that a bird will remain effects waterproofing. If it is the wrong me of year for oiled for several days un l it has been stabilised. a natural moult, please seek advice from Wildbase on how to induce moult. Requirements for washing are very specific, such as water temperature, water so ness and brand of Release criteria detergent. Refer to the “Washing” factsheet for detailed Birds should only be released if they fulfill ALL the informa on. following criteria: 1. Fully waterproof a er 6 hours swim test (refer to Waterproofing “Waterproofing” guidelines). 2. Weight within normal range for that species To regain waterproofing, birds must be given access to a (see www.nzbirdsonline.org.nz) pool with haulouts so that they can preen and dry off AND Body Condi on Score ≥3/5 between swims. Degree of waterproofing should be assessed using the Waterproofing Assessment sheets
(hyperlink).
Authors: S. Finlayson, B. White, L. Chilvers, G. Frankfurter, G. Finlayson. Thanks to veterinary technicians and veterinary residents in the Wildbase Hospital and to others for their input, feedback and photos. Disclaimer: This fact sheet is managed by Wildbase Oil Response (WOR) for informa on purposes only. Informa on contained in it is drawn from a variety of sources external to WOR. Although reasonable care was taken in its 3. PCV 32-40%, TP 37-60g/L prepara on, WOR does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or currency of the informa on or its usefulness in achieving 4. UA <600 IU/dl any purpose. To the fullest extent permi ed by law, WOR will not be liable for 5. Secondary complica ons resolved and checked by any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred in or arising by reason of any person relying on informa on in this fact sheet. Persons should accordingly veterinarian make and rely on their own assessments and enquiries to verify the accuracy Other things to consider: of the informa on provided. • Is their release habitat free from oil? Pictures: Unless otherwise credited, all pictures are copyright of Wildbase. • Use boat to release on to water >10km from coast.