Brazilian Journal of Enviromnent
Open Access Journal
CiteScore
0.5
Indexada na
SCOPUS
QUALIS
B2
2021-2024
quadriênio
Open Access Journal
0.5
Indexada na
SCOPUS
B2
2021-2024
quadriênio
Birds of prey, as top predators, play a key role in ecosystems but are impacted by anthropogenic pressures such as habitat degradation, collisions with vehicles and buildings, and illegal trade and captivity. Rescued or voluntarily surrendered animals are taken to Wildlife Screening Centers (CETAS), where they undergo intake, handling, rehabilitation, and eventual release into Wildlife Release Areas (ASAS). This study presents an overview of native raptor admissions at the IBAMA CETAS in Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil, between 2013 and 2023, focusing on the main causes of morbidity and mortality. A total of 406 individuals, across 22 species, were admitted. The most frequently recorded species—Rupornis magnirostris, Tyto furcata, Athene cunicularia, Caracara plancus, Falco sparverius, Glaucidium brasilianum, Megascops choliba, and Coragyps atratus—accounted for 94.6% of admissions. Anthropogenic causes predominated (45.8%), particularly collisions (21.7%), and were strongly associated with mortality (74.4%). A non-significant increase in admissions was observed between 2015 and 2017 (over 50 individuals/year). Significant differences were found between anthropogenic and natural causes (H = 15.09; p < 0.05), as well as among subcategories (H = 35.18; p < 0.05). A total of 290 individuals (71.4%) were successflly released after rehabilitation. The findings highlight significant challenges for raptor conservation in urban environments in Sergipe, emphasizing the urgency of mitigation measures tied to environmental licensing and education, as well as the effectiveness of rehabilitation efforts, as evidenced by the high release rate of birds treated at CETAS/IBAMA in Sergipe.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2026 André Beal Galina, Juan Manuel Ruiz-Esparza Aguilar, Stephen Francis Ferrari