Clinical evaluation of injury and fracture cases in wild birds in Sultansazlığı National Park and surroundings

The aim of this study was to conduct a clinical evaluation of injuries and fractures in wild birds in Kayseri Sultan Sazligi National Park and its surroundings. The study material consisted of 299 wild birds found in Sultan Sazligi and its surroundings between 01.04.2024 and 01.04.2025 (12-month period) and brought to the Rehabilitation Center for treatment without distinction of species, race, age, or gender. The cases detected by physical examination methods were classified in the 'Record Book' as fractures, injuries, and other case types in order to ensure systematic and uniform follow-ups. The classified cases were followed up clinically within the specified period. Of the 299 wild bird cases that constituted the study material, 13 [n=13 (%4.35)] were fracture cases, 54 [n=54 (%18.06)] were injury cases, and 232 [n=232 (%77.60)] were other types of cases (sick, fledgling, exhausted, in need of care, weak, etc.). When the case status was evaluated as a whole, it was seen that 89 cases [n=89 (%29.77)] recovered, while 210 cases [n=210 (%70.23)] resulted in death. According to the months, the highest number of cases occurred in June 2024 [n=77 (%25.75)] and July [n=67 (%22.41)], and the lowest number occurred in December 2024 [n=3 (%1.00)] and March 2025 [n=5 (%1.67)] and in the period between these months. Mortality rates were notable for their highs in August (90%, with 27 out of 30 cases resulting in death), September (96.30%, with 26 out of 27 cases resulting in death), December (100%, with 3 out of 3 cases resulting in death), January (87.50%, with 7 out of 8 cases resulting in death) and February (80%, with 8 out of 10 cases resulting in death). In this respect, since cases have been most frequently seen in June and July, when people are active in nature, it is expected that field screening activities should be expanded, that deaths are most common in the driest and coldest periods of the year, and that initiatives aimed at providing optimal conditions for animals and shortening the first response period will contribute to the protection of wildlife bird populations, raise public awareness and shed light on scientific studies to be conducted on this subject.