"Post mortem examination procedures on field and causes of death in Costa Rica wildlife"

Postmortem examination procedures are all the medical inspections performed on animals after death. They involve looking at the animal as a whole, as well as looking at each individual organ and body system to determine the cause, the mechanism and the manner of death. There are some important differences between necropsies on field and the procedures done in the necropsy room; the main aspects of both processes, and the protocols usually utilized for these operations, will be analysed and discussed. It is fundamental to highlight the comparison between the two procedures to increase the knowledge about this topic and to improve the techniques adopted during these methodologies. Following the discussion, it is inevitable not to mention the crucial role that postmortem investigations have, in the sphere of animal conservation, especially in this historical period, visibly in crisis due mainly to human impact on the environment and to its inhabitants, on a global scale. Within the context of this topic, the essay will conclude, after traversing the Central part of the American continent, in Costa Rica, where I underwent my traineeship experience. Here, I had the opportunity to witness some necropsies and focus on the prevailing causes of death of local wildlife.