9. TRIAGE In an oil spill there may be hundreds or thousands of animals and all animals can not always be cared for immediately because of lack of resources. Triage is an instrument that aims to make optimal use of limited resources by grouping together animals with different treatment needs. Through triage animals can be divided into groups based on how urgent their care is, what medication they should be given, or whether they should be treated or euthanised. Selection criteria during triage may depend on the number of birds and their overall condition, oil type and available space and resources in the rehabilitation centre. Selection can also be made by species (e.g. prioritising species of conservation interest),
sex (priority given to females) or age (priority given to animals of reproductive age). Selection criteria are always decided specifically for each oil spill incident. If possible, a first triage should already be conducted prior to transportation to the rehabilitation centre, either on the beach or at a temporary storage facility close to the collection area where the birds are collected prior to dispatch to the rehabilitation centre. This triage can, in accordance with relevant national legislation, either be carried out by a veterinarian or an experienced rehabilitator. If a veterinarian or other authorised person is available on the beach, individuals not likely to survive transportation or rehabilitation may be euthanised immediately.
© VBJÖRN HILLARP
Hevily oiled birds may be in better condition than lightly oiled ones.
EUTHANASIA In an oil spill, when only a limited number of oiled birds can be treated, the amount of animals taken into care may have to be reduced. The weakest animals may then be selected for euthanasia by a veterinarian or wildlife rehabilitator, as the strongest animals are more likely to survive. Euthanasia may also be the only humane treatment option for a severly injured or emaciated animal, and animal welfare should in this case always be put first. Euthanasia cannot be carried out by volunteers unless national legislation permits and volunteers have received training. The method, like using lethal injection or breaking the neck of the
bird, must comply with national laws on the prevention of cruelty to animals. To prevent prolonged suffering, seabirds may not be euthanised with CO2! Examples of euthanasia criteria: • Severe hypothermia or hyperthermia • Abnormal blood values like severe hypoproteinemia and/or anaemia (TP<2 g/dl and/or PCV<15%) • Emaciation • Debilitation • Serious injuries to wings, keel or legs • Infection
OILED WILDLIFE RESPONSE PROTOCOLS IN THE CENTRAL BALTIC SEA
27