CAUSES OF RAPTOR ADMISSIONS TO REHABILITATION IN JORDAN

We report on the morbidity and fate of 138 raptors of 27 species admitted to the Royal Society of the Conservation of Nature rehabilitation center in Jordan during 2017-2018. Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus) made up the greatest percentage admitted (28.3%), followed by the Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus, 7.3%), Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug; 7.3%). Eurasian Eagle-Owl (Bubo bubo; 7.3%), and nine species represented by a single individual each. Confiscation due to illegal possession or transport (n=81) was the most common reason for raptor admittance, followed by trauma (n= 26) and infections/disease (n = 26). Other major reasons for admittance included malnutrition (n=12) and orphaning (n=12). Twenty-six birds (18.8%), mostly falcons, were still in the rehabilitation center at the time of publication, and 22 (16%) individuals died during treatment due to their injuries (n=14) or severe Newcastle infections (n=8). Seventy-seven individuals were released into nature reserves, accounting for 55.8% of the total rehabilitated birds, and 13 individuals (9.4%) were returned to their owners.