SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMA IN AN IMMATURE COMMON STORK (CICONIA-CICONIA)

An immature common stork (Ciconia ciconia) was referred from the Wildl ife Recovering Center to the Department of Surgery for evaluation. Phy sical examination revealed a partially ulcerated, necrotic mass on the left surface of the upper beak. The mass was surgically removed and c lassified histologically as a squamous cell carcinoma. Postsurgically, the bird recovered uneventfully and proceeded to mature normally. Dur ing this growth period, no tumor recurrence or metastasis was detected , and no local bone alteration to the beak was found. The stork was ri nged and released back into its natural environment.