Plasma T3 (Triiodothyronine) and T4 (Thyroxine) Hormone Levels As Reference Values In Rehabilitated Healthy Gray Herons (Ardea cinerea)

In the rehabilitation of wild birds, determining the release criteria is very important for the survival of the animal after its release to the nature. When determining these criteria, the clinical examinations and clinical data of the animals should be evaluated. Therefore, reference laboratory values play a vital role in determining release to nature. In this study, 15 (fifteen) adults and healty Gray heron (Ardea cinerea) were brought to the 'Kafkas University, Wild Animal Protection, Rescue, Rehabilitation Application and Research Center' clinic in May 2016, because their nests were destroyed as a result of the overturning of the plane tree in Iğdır province, and they did not leave their surroundings, were rehabilitated. Birds were kept in bird care rooms specially designed for their species in the rehabilitation center. The birds were taken blood 4 days after being rehabilitated and then released into the nature. Plasma T3 and T4 hormone levels in birds were determined as a result of the analysis of blood samples. It was concluded that the differences in plasma T3 and T4 hormone levels obtained from a total of 15 birds were due to the increasing physiological and metabolic needs during the captivity period in center.