Capture Myopathy in Wild Turkeys (Meleagris Gallopavo) Following Trapping, Handling and Transportation in Colorado

Abstract

Sixty wild turkeys were necropsied following trapping, transporting and handling during the winters of 1980-1981, 1981-1982, and 1982-1983 in order to determine the incidence of subclinical capture myopathy. Gross lesions characterized by small to large patchy, pale white streaked areas within skeletal muscle were found in 13 of 27 birds trapped with a drop net in the winter of 1982-1983. Microscopic lesions within myocardium characterized by irregular areas of coagulative necrosis, collapse of intercellular stroma and myocardial nuclear proliferation were found in two of 14 birds in 1980-1981, five of 19 birds in 1981-1982 and 11 of 27 birds in 1982-1983. Microscopic lesions within skeletal muscle characterized by rhabdomyolysis were found in 16 of 19 birds in 1981-1982 and 25 of 27 birds in 1982-1983. These findings suggest that wild turkeys are susceptible to capture myopathy and particular caution should be exercised in capturing and handling these birds.

Capture Myopathy in Little Bustards after Trapping and Marking

“…Clinical signs of this condition in free-ranging birds are infrequently recorded after capture and marking operations (Spraker et al, 1987). Three of the little bustards in our study showed difficulty or inability to walk and/ or fly at the moment of release and remained near the place where they were released, until they died or were recaptured by hand.…”

“…These findings suggest that the little bustard is also susceptible to capture myopathy and that the family of bustards should be considered as a risk group. Furthermore, it can increase the probability of predation (Spraker et al, 1987), and this was probably the case in two of the little bustards studied here. Since treatment is extremely difficult, caution should be exercised during capture and handling, and every effort should be made to prevent the problem.…”

“…Lesions of the little bustards were similar to those reported in wild red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) (Hö fle et al, 2004), but we did not observe hemorrhages in the affected muscles. Extensive areas of hemorrhage were also observed in lesser flamingoes (Phoenicopterus minor) and wild turkeys (Meleagridis gallopavo) after capture (Young, 1967;Spraker et al, 1987). Rocket nets used to capture wild turkeys and chasing and capturing flamingoes may have been more stressful for the animals compared to the leg nooses we used.…”

“…Long-legged birds, like flamingoes, ostriches, and cranes, have been reported frequently to suffer capture myopathy (Bollinger et al, 1989). Additionally, this condition has been described in different species of waterfowl, gallinaceous birds, and raptors (Spraker et al, 1987;Domingo et al, 1991;Williams and Thorne, 1996;Hö fle et al, 2004). Capture myopathy is characterized by damage to muscle tissues brought about by complex physiological changes that depend upon species and the circumstances of capture, physical exertion, and stress.…”

“…Although muscular hemorrhages and myocardial lesions have been frequently reported (Spraker et al, 1987;Tully et al, 1996), not all animals develop these lesions (Williams and Thorne, 1996). These lesions may be related to the severity of the disease and the time elapsed from muscular damage to death, which is influenced by the method of capture and other factors previously discussed.…”