HEMATOLOGIC OBSERVED VALUES OF FREE-RANGING SIBERIAN WEASELS (MUSTELA SIBIRICA).

Abstract

The Siberian weasel (Mustela sibirica) is a frequently encountered species in Korean wildlife rehabilitation; however, the species-specific hematologic data remain scarce. This study analyzed the hematologic observed values in 52 clinically healthy, free-ranging Siberian weasels rescued in Seoul between 2020 and 2024. The subjects were classified by sex (26 males and 26 females) and age (26 juveniles and 26 adults). The animals were sedated with alfaxalone (5 mg/kg) and medetomidine (20 lg/kg). Blood was collected via cephalic, lateral saphenous, or cranial vena cava venipuncture. Complete blood counts were performed using an automated analyzer with a visual validation of the differential results. Statistical analysis comprised a Shapiro-Wilk normality test (P > 0.2) to select the parametric or nonparametric methods for calculating the observed value intervals with 90% confidence intervals. The statistical outliers were excluded using Dixon's and Tukey's methods with iterative removal until no additional outliers were detected. The Siberian weasels displayed broad lymphocyte percentage ranges (10.1%-65.7%), potentially reflecting adaptive responses to urban environmental challenges. Female weasels exhibited significantly higher platelet concentrations compared to males (P = 0.0044). No other sex- or age-related differences were significant. Our findings provide the baseline criteria for the clinical assessments of free-ranging Siberian weasels in wildlife rehabilitation and urban wildlife management programs.