About This Project

Fishing line entanglement injuries are a common problem affecting over 200 different wildlife species globally. Often, animals struggle to free themselves for extended periods of time before they are extracted or brought to a veterinary hospital. This study will analyze whether blood lactate levels can be used as a biomarker for severity of injury or as a prognostic indicator for successful rehabilitation and release of entangled birds back into the wild in Southwest Florida.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

Many aquatic bird species are at risk for entanglement with monofilament line, which may persist in the environment for 600 years. Studies have shown that lactate levels increase in various avian species following stress (capture and restraint), but lactate levels in avian species suffering from entanglement injuries has not yet been studied. In addition to primary wounds caused by fishing gear, secondary damage can occur due to hypoperfusion (poor circulation), exertional rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle damage), and infection, all of which can cause increases in lactate levels. This project will improve our understanding of how entanglement injuries affect blood lactate, and whether lactate can be used as a prognostic indicator for successful rehabilitation and release of affected birds.

What is the significance of this project?

Bird populations have plummeted in the past 50 years, dropping by nearly 29% across North America, with a 69% decline in seabird populations globally. Entanglement is a common cause of seabird injury and death. In some areas, over 50% of seabirds admitted to rehabilitation centers have entanglement injuries. Wounds caused by fishing gear can range from mild to life-threatening, but nearly 50% of the 795 birds admitted to CROW for fishing gear entanglement in the past decade died or were euthanized as a result of their injuries. Blood lactate levels are easily obtained may lead to more effective treatment and improved survival rates, and may serve as a prognostic indicator, allowing clinicians to make more informed decisions about animal welfare and resource allocation.

What are the goals of the project?

The goals of this project are twofold: to document whether blood lactate values are elevated in seabirds presenting with entanglement injuries, and to determine whether blood lactate levels can be used as a prognostic indicator for successful rehabilitation and release. Blood lactate levels will be measured at intake, 24-hours post intake, and at the time of release, as sequential sampling of blood lactate levels following initial therapy in other species (e.g. gastric dilatation and rotation in dogs) has been shown to have some value in establishing prognosis for recovery. Sample population will include seabirds presenting to CROW clinic for entanglement injuries, and conspecifics brought in for other non-entanglement injuries will serve as controls.