Vol. 9: 213–220 ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH Published online April 23, 2008 doi: 10.3354/esr00088 Endang Species Res Contribution to the Theme Section ‘Forensic methods in conservation research’ OPENPEN ACCESSCCESS Causes of mortality in free-living Mauritian pink pigeons Columba mayeri, 2002–2006 Nancy Bunbury1, 2, 5,*, Mark F. Stidworthy3, Andrew G. Greenwood3, Carl G. Jones2, 4, Shiva Sawmy2, Ruth E. Cole2, Kelly Edmunds1, 2, Diana J. Bell1 1Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation, School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK 2Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, Grannum Road, Vacoas, Mauritius 3International Zoo Veterinary Group, Keighley Business Centre, South Street, Keighley, W. Yorkshire BD21 1AG, UK 4Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Les Augrès Manor, Trinity, Jersey JE3 5BP, Channel Islands, UK 5Present address: Seychelles Islands Foundation, La Ciotat Building, Mont Fleuri, PO Box 853, Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles ABSTRACT: With disease playing an often unknown role in populations of endangered species, necropsy studies are an important component of conservation management programmes. In the pre- sent study, we investigate causes of mortality in the free-living population of endangered pink pigeons Columba mayeri, endemic to Mauritius. Fifty carcasses of free-living pink pigeons were found over a 5 yr period between January 2002 and December 2006. Causes of mortality and other post-mortem findings are reported for 43 of these birds, which were aged between 6 wk and 15 yr. The protozoan disease trichomonosis was the most common cause of death, with 22 (52%) freshly dead birds identified as dying from this disease. Four birds were suspected to have been killed by introduced mammalian predators, 4 died as the result of an impact injury and most of the remaining birds either died of unknown causes or the carcasses were too decomposed for necropsy. Our study highlights trichomonad protozoal infections as an important mortality factor in post-fledging pink pigeons in recent years. A number of other novel or rarely described parasites are also identified, highlighting the relative paucity of knowledge on background levels of parasitism in free-living endangered species. KEY WORDS: Conservation management · Disease · Mauritius · Necropsy · Predation · Trichomonosis Resale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisher INTRODUCTION therefore, play a valuable role in conservation man- agement or recovery programmes for endangered Although disease is gaining increasing recognition avian species. Such studies should include the investi- as a significant contributory factor to global avian de- gation of causes of mortality by standardised necropsy, clines and extinctions (e.g. Osofsky et al. 2000, Friend with histopathology if resources permit, of recovered et al. 2001, Weimerskirch 2004), Smith et al. (2006) carcasses. Such an approach can provide vital informa- found that infectious disease was listed as contributing tion on significant mortality factors in the study popu- to less than 4% of species extinctions since 1500 and lation which may otherwise be overlooked. less than 8% of cases in which a species was classed as The Mauritian pink pigeon Columba mayeri has critically endangered. This might suggest that disease been restored from a population of less than 20 birds in as a causal factor in population declines and extinc- the 1970s to approximately 380 birds today by an tions is under-reported. Disease surveillance studies, intensive conservation management and monitoring *Email: [email protected] © Inter-Research 2008 · www.int-res.com 214 Endang Species 9: 213–220 programme (Jones & Hartley 1995, Bunbury 2006). Service. Four of these subpopulations, Plaine Lievre (PL; The main drivers of the pink pigeon population decline 20° 38’ S, 57° 45’ E), Pigeon Wood (PW; 20° 44’ S, originally included large-scale habitat destruction and 57° 48’ E), Bel Ombre (BO; 20° 28’ S, 57° 25’ E) and predation by introduced mammals (Jones 1987), but Combo (20° 47’ S, 57° 51’ E), are located in the Black parasitic disease may also have contributed (Swinner- River Gorges National Park in the south-west of Mauri- ton et al. 2005a). Disease remains one of several cur- tius, and the fifth occurs on the offshore islet of Ile aux Ai- rent threats to the species’ long-term persistence. grettes (IAA; 20° 42’ S, 57° 73’ E). In each of these sub- Causes of mortality have not been comprehensively populations, all pink pigeons are individually ringed studied in post-fledging free-living pink pigeons, so with a unique metal and colour ring combination, and the relative importance of different mortality factors, survival is monitored on a daily basis, enabling accurate such as disease and predation, is unknown. Diseases of recording of dates of disappearance or death and indi- particular concern include avian trichomonosis (Swin- vidual identification of any carcasses found. nerton et al. 2005a, Bunbury et al. 2008) and leucocyto- Gross necropsy. Carcasses of juvenile (post-fledging zoonosis (Peirce et al. 1997, Swinnerton et al. 2005b, to 6 mo of age) and adult pink pigeons recovered by Bunbury et al. 2007). members of the MWF staff during field-work between Avian trichomonosis is caused by the flagellate pro- January 2002 and December 2006 were collected and, tozoan Trichomonas gallinae, and primarily affects if fresh, stored at 0 to 5°C until gross necropsy. Any Columbiformes, although it has been reported in a pink pigeons which died while being held temporarily number of other avian orders worldwide (see Forrester in captivity for treatment or recuperation were necrop- & Foster 2008). The parasite is transmitted directly, via sied within 24 h of death. All gross necropsy and mutual feeding or from parent to nestling, or indirectly histopathology examinations were conducted by one via water or food (Stabler 1954). Signs of trichomonosis or more of the authors. Only relatively fresh pink include yellowish caseous lesions and/or necrotic pigeon carcasses (no or minimal signs of autolysis) ulcerations in the upper digestive and respiratory underwent both gross necropsy and tissue sampling tracts, a foul cheesy smell emanating from the gape, for histopathology. Moderately decomposed carcasses, and swelling of parts of the head such as the eyes or which were visibly autolysed but in which the internal nares (for a more detailed description of the disease organs were intact and recognisable, were gross and parasite life-cycle see Stabler 1954, Bunbury et al. necropsied only, to search for the presence of lesions or 2008). Trichomonosis is known to cause high mortality other gross abnormalities. Severely decomposed car- in pink pigeon squabs (Swinnerton et al. 2005a) and, in casses with barely recognisable internal organs were 2004, was responsible for squab mortality of up to given a cursory examination to try to determine cause 77.5% in 1 subpopulation (Bunbury 2006). of death. Necropsies followed a standard protocol Long-term population monitoring facilitated this based on those previously described (Waine 1996, investigation into the causes of adult pink pigeon mor- Cooper 2004, Rose 2005). Where possible, all organs tality over a 5 yr period between 2002 and 2006. This is were examined, even in cases where the cause of a key time period in which to examine mortality for this death was known. Findings were recorded consis- species, because the total population size has re- tently using a standardised report template. mained relatively stable since 2001, following a rapid, Over the 5 yr period, 50 carcasses were recovered from 10 yr increase. The primary objective of this paper is, a total of 280 ringed pink pigeons which died or disap- therefore, to investigate significant causes of mortality peared from the free-living population during this time in free-living pink pigeons based on necropsy exami- (i.e. 17.6% of carcasses were recovered). The majority of nations of individuals which died during this period. birds, therefore, disappeared without trace. Eight of the We use the findings to help elucidate the reasons for 50 carcasses had undergone severe deterioration, so the lack of continued population recovery and to sug- necropsy was not feasible. For 7 of these latter cases, it gest directions for further research into disease and was not possible to diagnose a cause of death, but 1 other mortality factors in this and other endangered carcass was found underneath a window with a cervical avian species. dislocation, so impact trauma was recorded as the probable cause of death. Full gross necropsy was conducted on 38 of the remaining 42 cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS Gross post-mortem signs of trichomonosis include swollen eyes and head with the presence of caseous Study area. There are 5 free-living pink pigeon sub- lesions, usually visible in the buccal cavity and populations in Mauritius, all of which are managed by oropharynx, but potentially occurring in virtually any the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) in cooperation organ in the body. Death caused by impact injury was with the governmental National Parks and Conservation evident either from obvious fatal injuries, e.g. broken Bunbury et al.: Causes of pink pigeon mortality 215 bones, or large haematomas. Signs of predation Trichomonosis included teeth marks, chewed bones, flesh and/or feathers, removal of characteristic parts of the carcass, The most commonly identified cause of mortality in footprints, and scattered feathers and/or traces of fur juvenile and adult pink pigeons during this period on the ground close to the carcass. Since it is usually was trichomonosis (22 cases, 52.4% of the 42 freshly impossible to distinguish between actual predation recovered carcasses; Table 1, Fig. 1), including 9 and post-mortem scavenging, all deaths thought to males and 11 females. The mean age of birds which have been due to predation were recorded as ‘sus- died as a result of trichomonosis was 3.7 yr ±0.9 SE. pected predation’. However, in all such cases, car- In most cases, lesions were present in the upper casses were examined closely for other potential digestive tract (Fig.