Wildlife Toxicology

The IREC Toxicology group was created in mid-2003 and since then it works on the evaluation of exposure to different types of toxicants in wildlife and livestock, as well as the effects they can have on the individuals, in the conservation of populations and the use of these natural resources. In this respect, we also study food safety implications that this type of contamination poses to human consumers. The knowledge obtained allows to develop strategies for risk reduction and perform better overall use of natural resources. The research topics of the group cover the following lines: - Contamination by heavy metals: mining and lead ammunition - Study of the effects of pesticides - Diagnosis of poisonings and developement of strategies to reduce their occurrence - Development of biomarkers - Botulism in waterfowl - Monitoring of persistent organic pollutants