Standardised Sampling Approach for Investigating Pathogens or Environmental Chemicals in Wild Game at Community Hunts

Abstract

Wildlife may host pathogens and chemicals of veterinary and public health relevance, as well as pathogens with significant economic relevance for domestic livestock. In conducting research on the occurrence and distribution of these agents in wildlife, a major challenge is the acquisition of a sufficient number of samples coupled with efficient use of manpower and time. The aim of this article is to present the methodology and output of a sampling approach for game animals, which was implemented from 2017/18 to 2020/21 at drive hunts in Brandenburg, Germany. The central element was a framework agreement with the BImA, whereby federal forest officials and other hunters collected most of the samples during field dressing. Further samples of game carcasses were obtained by scientists during subsequent gathering at a collection point. Altogether, 3185 samples from 938 wild ungulates of four species were obtained for various studies analysing—in this case—food-borne agents in game animals. Sampling was representative and reflected the proportional distribution of ungulate species hunted in Brandenburg. Hunting district and hunting season strongly influenced hunting bag and hence sampling success. This sampling approach was demonstrated to be a suitable basis for monitoring programs, that can be adapted to other regions.

Evaluation of the Occurrence ofStaphylococcaceaewith Reduced Susceptibility to Cefoxitin in Wild Ungulates in Brandenburg, Germany, Based on Land Use-Related Factors

“…Additionally, through the presented approach, a spatial evaluation of the detection rate of nonsusceptible Staphylococcaceae in the free-living game population permitted relevant assessments from a local perspective. Considering the limitations of the sampling strategy, the presented results reflect the regional situation of the hunted game species ( 73 ). According to our observations, a high density of livestock and the presence of large surface water bodies may increase the local chances of detecting antimicrobial-resistant Staphylococcaceae in wild game animal populations.…”

“…Without considering the constituent state of Berlin, approximately 2,037 km 2 of the total area of this federal state consist of human settlement (6.9%), 14,426 km 2 consist of agricultural land (48.6%), 10,320 km 2 consist of forest stand (34.8%), and 998 km 2 consist of surface water (3.4%) (based on data for 2020, available at https://www.statistischebibliothek.de [last accessed 31 March 2022]). Sampling activities were conducted within a framework agreement involving the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) and the German Institute for Federal Real Estate (BImA), as previously described in detail by Maaz et al ( 73 ). For this study, nasal swabs were taken from healthy free-living fallow deer ( Dama dama ), red deer ( Cervus elaphus ), roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus ), and wild boar ( Sus scrofa ) hunted at drive hunts in late autumn and winter during three consecutive hunting seasons from 2019-2020 to 2021-2022.…”

“…Therefore, official approval was neither required for the manipulation of carcasses nor for their sampling, and legal requirements regarding ethical standards were fulfilled. Carcasses to be sampled were chosen randomly, and the number of animals sampled depended on the bag of the day ( 73 ). After each hunt, a single swab sample was taken from one or both nasal orifices of game either by hunters or by scientific staff.…”

Cause and Effect Analysis between Influencing Factors Related to Environmental Conditions, Hunting and Handling Practices and the Initial Microbial Load of Game Carcasses

“…This study was conducted complying with ethical standards, the data privacy agreement of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, and with federal and institutional animal use guidelines. Roe deer ( n = 24) were shot within the framework of wildlife management [ 25 ] and for human consumption in the hunting season 2020–2021 ( n = 19) and 2021–2022 ( n = 5) by several hunters on 12 hunting estates in Brandenburg, Germany. Roe deer carcasses were obtained during the annual drive hunt-season (autumn and winter season in the Northern hemisphere) at comparably low ambient temperatures organized by the German Federal Forestry Service at hunting districts administered by the German Federal Institute for Real Estate (BImA) or at hunting districts of the state forest of Brandenburg.…”

Wildlife Disease Monitoring: Methods and Perspectives

“…Several contributions within this Special Issue report on the methodology and results of long-term, structured disease surveillance and/or health monitoring programs, either general or targeted toward specific pathogens or animal species. Maaz et al [ 2 ] offer a best-practice example of a large-scale standardised sampling approach for game animals employed by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) for the detection of both biological and chemical agents in wildlife. They present the detailed methodology and output of their sampling protocol, emphasizing the involvement of local officers and hunters as a key element for its correct implementation.…”