PERCUTANEOUS EXPOSURE TO ETHYL PARATHION IN A FERAL GRIFFON VULTURE (GYPS-FULVUS)

A feral Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) was found with tremors, weakness , digit and wing flexion, and an inability to fly. A zero blood cholin esterase activity and a favorable response to treatment with pralidoxi me hydrochloride indicated exposure to an anticholinergic pesticide. T he bird died after 7 d, and traces of the organophosphate insecticide ethyl parathion were found in the liver and from a blue discolored ski n area of the neck. Continuous exposure to ethyl parathion through der mal absorption was presumed the cause of death of the vulture.