Publications by authors named "M Herrero-Villar"
Article Synopsis
- * A notable case involved the severe decline of three Asian vulture species caused by poisoning from diclofenac, a common veterinary NSAID, underscoring the vulnerability of these scavengers to drug exposure.
- * The study reviews the toxic effects of various pharmaceutical groups on birds of prey, emphasizing the need for targeted risk assessments and management strategies to mitigate potential health risks from environmental contamination.
Bearded vulture () populations are declining worldwide primarily due to anthropogenic factors. A captive breeding program has been established in Spain, a country with one of the largest free-living populations in Europe, to further enhance the conservation efforts of this emblematic species. However, captive vulture populations can be exposed to different risks through food, such as drug residues and antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVeterinary drugs are of concern in terms of potential environmental pollution and their negative impacts on avian scavengers. These pharmaceuticals reach vultures through the consumption of carcasses of previously treated livestock. Here, we analysed samples from livestock carcasses (n = 159), avian scavenger tissues (n = 116) and plasma (n = 312) for 49 compounds commonly used in veterinary medicine in Aragon (NE Spain) and nearby regions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- * Toxicological analysis showed pentobarbital in the bird's gastric content and liver, suggesting that the drug may have affected its balance and reflexes, increasing the likelihood of electrocution.
- * The study highlights the need for thorough investigations in wildlife deaths and identifies barbiturate poisoning as a new threat to bearded vulture conservation in Europe.