Morbidity and Mortality of Eastern Barn Owls (<i>Tyto javanica</i>) Admitted to a Southeast Queensland Wildlife Hospital
The eastern barn owl (<i>Tyto javanica</i>), a sub-group of <i>Tyto alba</i>, the most common species of owl in the world, is classified as “of least concern” under Queensland (Australia) legislation but appears to be affected by urban development. Between August 2010 and Dec...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Veterinary Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/3/284 |
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| author | Robert Doneley Ashleigh Hicks Andrew Hill |
| author_facet | Robert Doneley Ashleigh Hicks Andrew Hill |
| author_sort | Robert Doneley |
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| description | The eastern barn owl (<i>Tyto javanica</i>), a sub-group of <i>Tyto alba</i>, the most common species of owl in the world, is classified as “of least concern” under Queensland (Australia) legislation but appears to be affected by urban development. Between August 2010 and December 2021, 412 wild eastern barn owls were presented for treatment to the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital. A retrospective study of their medical records shows a strong association between the season and the number of admissions, with a combined total of 80% of admissions occurring in winter and spring (the breeding season for this species) in southeast Queensland. There was no significant association between age and admissions. The most common diagnosis was traumatic injuries, especially in winter and spring. Of all admissions, 46.61% died or were euthanized, 36.17% were transferred to wildlife carers, and 13.83% were discharged from the hospital. We postulate that the breeding season results in an increase in the owls’ activity, in turn resulting in greater risk exposure and increased admissions to veterinary clinics. These findings confirm that and thus provide information about the vulnerability of this species to anthropogenic activities and the implications for outcomes of injured owls. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ad4433940ef140f2b9bddc603f50f6ec |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2306-7381 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Veterinary Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-ad4433940ef140f2b9bddc603f50f6ec2025-08-20T02:43:05ZengMDPI AGVeterinary Sciences2306-73812025-03-0112328410.3390/vetsci12030284Morbidity and Mortality of Eastern Barn Owls (<i>Tyto javanica</i>) Admitted to a Southeast Queensland Wildlife HospitalRobert Doneley0Ashleigh Hicks1Andrew Hill2School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, AustraliaSchool of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, AustraliaCurrumbin Wildlife Hospital, Currumbin, Gold Coast, QLD 4223, AustraliaThe eastern barn owl (<i>Tyto javanica</i>), a sub-group of <i>Tyto alba</i>, the most common species of owl in the world, is classified as “of least concern” under Queensland (Australia) legislation but appears to be affected by urban development. Between August 2010 and December 2021, 412 wild eastern barn owls were presented for treatment to the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital. A retrospective study of their medical records shows a strong association between the season and the number of admissions, with a combined total of 80% of admissions occurring in winter and spring (the breeding season for this species) in southeast Queensland. There was no significant association between age and admissions. The most common diagnosis was traumatic injuries, especially in winter and spring. Of all admissions, 46.61% died or were euthanized, 36.17% were transferred to wildlife carers, and 13.83% were discharged from the hospital. We postulate that the breeding season results in an increase in the owls’ activity, in turn resulting in greater risk exposure and increased admissions to veterinary clinics. These findings confirm that and thus provide information about the vulnerability of this species to anthropogenic activities and the implications for outcomes of injured owls.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/3/284eastern barn owl<i>Tyto javanica</i><i>Tyto alba</i>wildlifeveterinaryanthropogenic |
| spellingShingle | Robert Doneley Ashleigh Hicks Andrew Hill Morbidity and Mortality of Eastern Barn Owls (<i>Tyto javanica</i>) Admitted to a Southeast Queensland Wildlife Hospital Veterinary Sciences eastern barn owl <i>Tyto javanica</i> <i>Tyto alba</i> wildlife veterinary anthropogenic |
| title | Morbidity and Mortality of Eastern Barn Owls (<i>Tyto javanica</i>) Admitted to a Southeast Queensland Wildlife Hospital |
| title_full | Morbidity and Mortality of Eastern Barn Owls (<i>Tyto javanica</i>) Admitted to a Southeast Queensland Wildlife Hospital |
| title_fullStr | Morbidity and Mortality of Eastern Barn Owls (<i>Tyto javanica</i>) Admitted to a Southeast Queensland Wildlife Hospital |
| title_full_unstemmed | Morbidity and Mortality of Eastern Barn Owls (<i>Tyto javanica</i>) Admitted to a Southeast Queensland Wildlife Hospital |
| title_short | Morbidity and Mortality of Eastern Barn Owls (<i>Tyto javanica</i>) Admitted to a Southeast Queensland Wildlife Hospital |
| title_sort | morbidity and mortality of eastern barn owls i tyto javanica i admitted to a southeast queensland wildlife hospital |
| topic | eastern barn owl <i>Tyto javanica</i> <i>Tyto alba</i> wildlife veterinary anthropogenic |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/3/284 |
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