| Summary: | Final Thesis Curriculum in Veterinary Medicine The Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) is the largest owl in Europe, yet not much is known about the causes of their mortality and morbidity in the region. Their population has decreased rapidly in the last few decades and nowadays they are placed under I category protection in Estonia. At the moment, the main reasons for their high mortality are thought to be anthropogenic. These factors include intensive deforestation, change in their habitats and lack of food, which have forced them to move out of their natural habitats from inland to coastal areas. In addition, the pollution of environment with heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and the usage of toxic rodenticides are speculated to have a negative effect on their health. Natural factors decreasing the eagle-owl’s population in Estonia are rivalry, injuries and infectious diseases, including viral, bacterial, parasitic and fungal diseases. Included in this study were 16 birds, who were all tested for traces of mercury, lead and cadmium. All of the samples had some levels of heavy metals in them, but noteworthy are three mercury concentrations, which exceeded the level of possible poisoning. The concentrations of lead and cadmium were found to be insignificant. One of the tested birds turned out to be infected with avian influenza virus (AIV) strand HPAI H5N8 and one pool of five birds tested positive for infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). Further collection of samples and testing is advised, in order to have a better understanding of the situation of Eurasian eagle-owls in the Northern Baltics. Kassikakud (Bubo bubo) on suurimad kakulised Euroopas, kuid vähe on teada nende suremuse ja haigestumise põhjustest. Kassikakkude populatsioon Eestis on viimaste aastakümnetega vähenenud kiirelt ning tänaseks on nad paigutatud I kategooria kaitseliikide sekka. Pesitsuspaikade muutused, häirimine ning ümbritseva keskkonna saastamine raskemetallidega nagu elavhõbe, plii ja kaadmium, ning liigne ...
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