Stable isotopes reveal captive vs wild origin of illegally captured songbirds in France

Forensic Science International : Synergy
Frédéric JiguetK A Hobson

Abstract

Naturally occurring stable isotopes of several elements are important tracers in the study the wildlife ecology including the identification of origins for migration research, investigations of trophic relationships, and in the forensic determination of illegally harvested and captive fauna. Extensive illegal trapping for use as decoys and in cuisine has contributed to drastic declines of Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana populations breeding and migrating through France. We contrasted feather hydrogen isotope (δ2Hf) values in illegally captured and subsequently confiscated Ortolan Buntings (n=234), including feathers known to have grown in captivity (n=34) or of unknown growing environment (wild or cage), with δ2Hf values in birds legally caught (ringed and released) in the wild (n=40). We sought to determine if feathers from these bird groups could be differentiated based on this single isotope. Feathers grown in captivity had considerably lower δ2Hf relative to feathers of wild birds, which is potentially indicative of tap water consumption and the use of different diets in captive birds. Further, applying mixing models to δ2Hf values revealed similar proportions of captive vs. wild origins for birds illegally captured in 2...Continue Reading

References

Feb 24, 2005·Oecologia·Gabriel J BowenKeith A Hobson
Aug 15, 2008·Science & Justice : Journal of the Forensic Science Society·Andrew KellyJason Newton
Apr 22, 2017·Ecology and Evolution·Carolin DittrichMark-Oliver Rödel

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