Bem-estar e saúde de animais silvestres vítimas de tráfico e posse ilegal no nordeste do Brasil

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the welfare of animals from integrated preventive inspections that took place in Bahia state from 2018 to 2019, adapting the Animal Welfare Expertise Protocol (PPBEA); the indicators used were direct observation of the animal, related to health and behavior, and indirect observation, analyzing the environment and enclosure of the rescued animals, in addition to isolating and characterizing fungi associated with rescued parrots using MALDI-TOF MS analysis, and characterizing the antifungal resistance of these isolates using the broth microdilution methodology. A total of 559 animals were evaluated, 333 birds, 215 reptiles and 11 mammals. 531 (94.99%) presented a very low or low degree of welfare, a classification that indicates a situation of mistreatment. 11 (1.97%) animals were in a regular situation, and only 17 (3.04%) were in a high level of welfare. It was possible to observe that the crime of mistreatment through negligence is the most common type; however, because it is less obvious, it is more difficult to identify. From 66 parrots analyzed, 58 fungal samples were isolated. 47 (81.03%) were from the genus Candida, 07 (12.01%) from the genus Trichosporon, 03 (5.17%) from the genus Kodamaea, and 01 from the genus Exophiala (1.72%). Of the Candida isolates, 03 (6.38%) were C. albicans, 09 (19.15%) C. guilliermondii, 23 (48.94%) C. famata, 04 (8.51%) C. parapsilosis, 02 (4.26%) C. orthopsilosis, and 05 (10.64%) C. tropicalis. There was one isolate identified as C. glabrata (2.13%). Resistance of the isolates was demonstrated mainly to fluconazole, but also to itraconazole. This study demonstrates, in addition to cases of mistreatment of wild animals, that fungi with pathogenic potential and resistant to antifungals can be spread by these animals. These findings may provide support for intensifying and improving measures to control and prevent diseases caused by illegally traded wild animals.