Serological examinations in Hungarian great bustard (Otis tarda) populations

The conservation of the strictly protected Great Bustard (Otis tarda) is one of the top priorities of the Hungarian conservation authorities. The current national population counts approximately 1600 individuals. The authors sampled immature, hand-raised birds prior to the repatriation in the Devavanya Great Bustard Rescue Station. The blood collection was part of the veterinary programme and took place in 2006, 2009 and 2011. The research aimed viral diseases known to cause disease in bustard species or had to be considered due to the attributes of the habitat and the occurring species there. According to this, the incidence of highly pathogenic avian influenza, avian paramyxovirus type 1, West Nile virus and avian orthoreovirus were tested. The total 27 samples gave negative results for avian influenza, avian paramyxovirus type 1 and avian orthoreovirus but antibodies against the West Nile virus were detected each year when sampling took place. The total and positive samples had the following distribution: 2006: 7/2; 2009: 9/9; 2011: 11/3.