Chang Ai-Mei, Chen Chen-Chih, Tuan Yun-Chieh, Lin Lee-Shuan
Institute of Wildlife Conservation, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, 912, Taiwan R.O.C.
Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, 912, Taiwan R.O.C.
BMC Vet Res. 2025 May 10;21(1):335. doi: 10.1186/s12917-025-04780-2.
Wildlife rehabilitation is crucial for the recovery of injured endangered species; however, this process can induce significant stress, potentially leading to secondary injuries and complications. This case report details the rehabilitation of two severely injured Formosan black bears (Ursus thibetanus formosanus) with desensitization techniques as an alternative approach to reducing stress while promoting voluntary cooperation during treatment.
Patient 1 was an adult female bear with injuries, including the loss of the second, third and fourth phalanges of the left forelimb and extensive necrosis of the right palm. Patient 2 was a subadult male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, severe necrosis of the distal part of the right wrist, and a fracture of the right mandibular ramus and left humerus. Both bears underwent desensitization training, which fostered calmness during routine procedures and facilitated smooth recovery throughout rehabilitation. Pre-release training focused on rebuilding physical capacity and developing natural behaviors, as well as human avoidance, to increase survival and reduce human-bear conflicts.
The successful outcomes, characterized by complete recovery and avoidance of human interactions, underscore the effectiveness of desensitization strategies in wildlife rehabilitation. This approach not only enhances the quality of medical care but also mitigates the risks of post-release conflicts, contributing to the conservation of endangered species.
野生动物康复对于受伤濒危物种的恢复至关重要；然而，这一过程可能会引发显著的应激反应，有可能导致二次受伤和并发症。本病例报告详细介绍了两只严重受伤的台湾黑熊（Ursus thibetanus formosanus）的康复情况，采用脱敏技术作为一种替代方法，以减轻应激反应，同时在治疗过程中促进自愿配合。
病例1是一只成年雌性黑熊，受伤情况包括左前肢第二、第三和第四指骨缺失以及右手掌广泛坏死。病例2是一只亚成年雄性黑熊，遭受多处枪伤，右腕远端严重坏死，右下颌支和左肱骨骨折。两只熊都接受了脱敏训练，这有助于它们在常规程序中保持平静，并在整个康复过程中顺利恢复。放归前的训练重点是恢复体能、培养自然行为以及避免与人接触，以提高生存几率并减少人熊冲突。
以完全康复和避免与人类互动为特征的成功结果，突显了脱敏策略在野生动物康复中的有效性。这种方法不仅提高了医疗护理质量，还降低了放归后冲突的风险，有助于濒危物种的保护。
