Valutazione dell'esposizione a rodenticidi anticoagulanti nelle volpi (Vulpes vulpes) del Centro Italia

Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are commonly applied to control rodent infestations. However, the exposure of non-target small mammals, including wildlife is a rising concern, with numerous reports of secondary and tertiary poisoning through predation. Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) can act as a sentinel for monitoring wildlife exposure to ARs due to their widespread distribution and dietary habits. In Italy, the available data on wildlife exposure to ARs are scarce. For these reasons, the present study aimed to investigate the potential exposure of red foxes to ARs. 50 carcasses of Vulpes vulpes collected in Central Italy were subjected to anatomopathological investigation and analytical technique. Residues of ARs were detected in 52% of the liver samples. At necropsy, all positive carcasses showed slight to moderate manifestations of coagulopathy. ARs with longer liver elimination half-life (t1/2), mainly brodifacoum, occurred more often than compounds with lower liver t1/2.