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Leach J, Suber HN, Conley K, Rivera R, Surles J, Hames B, Kendall RJ. Validation of an enzyme immunoassay for the detection of corticosterone metabolites from northern bobwhite ( Colinus virginianus) feces. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 12:coad098. [PMID: 38293636 PMCID: PMC10823320 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coad098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Interest in the effects of stressors on wildlife has grown substantially over the past few decades. As this interest has grown, so has the need for minimally invasive and reliable methods for estimating differences in the levels of stress hormones. An enzyme immunoassay using standardized methods was validated for detecting concentrations of corticosterone (cort) metabolites from northern bobwhite fecal samples. Two physiological challenges and one biological challenge were applied to 18 northern bobwhites (nine males and nine females), and the fecal cort metabolite concentrations were compared to baseline levels. The interactions of sex and treatment, treatment and time and sex and time were all significant. Thus, the methods and tools used here were sensitive enough to detect expected changes to the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis of northern bobwhite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremiah Leach
- Wildlife Toxicology Laboratory, Texas Tech University, 1234 Davis Drive, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Hannah N Suber
- Wildlife Toxicology Laboratory, Texas Tech University, 1234 Davis Drive, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Katelyn Conley
- Wildlife Toxicology Laboratory, Texas Tech University, 1234 Davis Drive, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Regan Rivera
- Wildlife Toxicology Laboratory, Texas Tech University, 1234 Davis Drive, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - James Surles
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Texas Tech University, 1108 Memorial Circle, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Benjamin Hames
- Wildlife Toxicology Laboratory, Texas Tech University, 1234 Davis Drive, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Ronald J Kendall
- Wildlife Toxicology Laboratory, Texas Tech University, 1234 Davis Drive, Lubbock, TX, USA
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2
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Soravia C, Ashton BJ, Thornton A, Ridley AR. High temperatures are associated with reduced cognitive performance in wild southern pied babblers. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20231077. [PMID: 37989242 PMCID: PMC10688443 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.1077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Global temperatures are increasing rapidly. While considerable research is accumulating regarding the lethal and sublethal effects of heat on wildlife, its potential impact on animal cognition has received limited attention. Here, we tested wild southern pied babblers (Turdoides bicolor) on three cognitive tasks (associative learning, reversal learning and inhibitory control) under naturally occurring heat stress and non-heat stress conditions. We determined whether cognitive performance was explained by temperature, heat dissipation behaviours, individual and social attributes, or proxies of motivation. We found that temperature, but not heat dissipation behaviours, predicted variation in associative learning performance. Individuals required on average twice as many trials to learn an association when the maximum temperature during testing exceeded 38°C compared with moderate temperatures. Higher temperatures during testing were also associated with reduced inhibitory control performance, but only in females. By contrast, we found no temperature-related decline in performance in the reversal learning task, albeit individuals reached learning criterion in only 14 reversal learning tests. Our findings provide novel evidence of temperature-mediated cognitive impairment in a wild animal and indicate that its occurrence depends on the cognitive trait examined and individual sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Soravia
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia 6009
| | - Benjamin J. Ashton
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia 6009
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 2109
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa, 7701
| | - Alex Thornton
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Amanda R. Ridley
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia 6009
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa, 7701
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3
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Soravia C, Ashton BJ, Ridley AR. Periorbital temperature responses to natural air temperature variation in wild birds. J Therm Biol 2022; 109:103323. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2022.103323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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Schilling AK, Mazzamuto MV, Romeo C. A Review of Non-Invasive Sampling in Wildlife Disease and Health Research: What's New? Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:1719. [PMID: 35804619 PMCID: PMC9265025 DOI: 10.3390/ani12131719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last decades, wildlife diseases and the health status of animal populations have gained increasing attention from the scientific community as part of a One Health framework. Furthermore, the need for non-invasive sampling methods with a minimal impact on wildlife has become paramount in complying with modern ethical standards and regulations, and to collect high-quality and unbiased data. We analysed the publication trends on non-invasive sampling in wildlife health and disease research and offer a comprehensive review on the different samples that can be collected non-invasively. We retrieved 272 articles spanning from 1998 to 2021, with a rapid increase in number from 2010. Thirty-nine percent of the papers were focussed on diseases, 58% on other health-related topics, and 3% on both. Stress and other physiological parameters were the most addressed research topics, followed by viruses, helminths, and bacterial infections. Terrestrial mammals accounted for 75% of all publications, and faeces were the most widely used sample. Our review of the sampling materials and collection methods highlights that, although the use of some types of samples for specific applications is now consolidated, others are perhaps still underutilised and new technologies may offer future opportunities for an even wider use of non-invasively collected samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Katarina Schilling
- Previously Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK;
| | - Maria Vittoria Mazzamuto
- Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, 1000 E. University Ave., Laramie, WY 82072, USA;
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, Via J.H. Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Claudia Romeo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
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Nokkaew W, Intarapuk A, Sakulthai A, Wajjwalku W, Thongtip N. Study of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites in captive Asian elephants in Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand. Vet World 2022; 15:647-654. [PMID: 35497973 PMCID: PMC9047137 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2022.647-654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim: Over the past two decades, the number of elephant camps in Thailand has increased considerably, and captive elephants have become more popular within the tourism industry. Tourist activities involving elephant exhibitions and trekking potentially affect animal health and welfare. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between a novel stress biomarker, fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fGCM), and various factors (sex, age, weather season, tourist season, and elephant usage patterns), monitoring the fGCM concentration during and after trekking activities ceased. Materials and Methods: Fecal samples of 20 captive Asian elephants from two camps in Kanchanaburi Province were collected monthly for 1 year. The fGCM concentrations were measured using enzyme immunoassay and evaluated relative to individual demography, season, and tourist trekking activity. The mean differences of fGCMs concentrations were compared by analysis of variance and t-test statistics according to data types with p<0.5. Results: Significant differences in mean fGCM concentrations were found between age categories (p=0.001), trekking and non-trekking animals (p=0.039), and during and after trekking (p=0.023). The mean fGCM concentration of elephants aged during 0-44 years (136.7 ng/g) was significantly higher than for animals over 44 years old (107.7 ng/g), and the elephant trekking group (144.9 ng/g) was significantly higher than the other group (124.7 ng/g). Within the trekking group, the mean fGCM concentrations gradually declined to 129.13 ng/g within 8 months of trekking cessation. Conclusion: Elephant’s ages and activities co-influenced the variance of fGCM concentrations. In addition, permanent tourist activity, especially trekking, can increase elephant stress. This study’s findings can be applied to the health status monitoring of captive elephants and result in improved animal welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weerapun Nokkaew
- Graduate Program in Bio-Veterinary Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.,Wildlife Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mahanakorn University of Technology, Nong Chok, Bangkok 10530, Thailand
| | - Apiradee Intarapuk
- Public Health Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mahanakorn University of Technology, Nong Chok, Bangkok 10530, Thailand
| | - Apichaya Sakulthai
- Department of Farm Technology Management, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Panyapiwat Institute of Management, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | - Worawidh Wajjwalku
- Akkhraratchakumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Thasala, Nakhonsithammarat 80160, Thailand
| | - Nikorn Thongtip
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand.,Center for Agricultural Biotechnology, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand.,Center of Excellence on Agricultural Biotechnology (AG-BIO/PERDO-CHE), Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
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Ngcamphalala CA, Bouwer M, Nicolson SW, Ganswindt A, McKechnie AE. Experimental Manipulation of Air Temperature in Captivity Appears Unsuitable for Evaluating Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolite Responses of Wild-Caught Birds to Heat Exposure. Physiol Biochem Zool 2021; 94:330-337. [PMID: 34292861 DOI: 10.1086/716043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
AbstractNoninvasive measurement of stress-related alterations in fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) concentrations has considerable potential for quantifying physiological responses to very hot weather in free-ranging birds, but practical considerations related to sampling will often make this method feasible only for habituated study populations. Here we evaluate an alternate approach, the use of experimentally manipulated thermal environments for evaluating stress responses to high environmental temperatures in wild-caught birds housed in captivity. Using an enzyme immunoassay utilizing antibodies against 5ß-pregnane-3α,11ß,21-triol-20-one-CMO∶BSA (tetrahydrocorticosterone), we quantified fGCMs in captive individuals of three southern African arid-zone species (southern pied babblers [Turdoides bicolor], white-browed sparrow-weavers [Plocepasser mahali], and southern yellow-billed hornbills [Tockus leucomelas]) experiencing daily air temperature maxima (Tmax) ranging from 30°-32°C to 42°-44°C. For none of the three species did Tmax emerge as a significant predictor of elevated fGCM concentrations, and no stress response to simulated hot weather was evident. The apparent lack of a stress response to Tmax = 42°C in captive southern pied babblers contrasts with linear increases in fGCMs at Tmax > 38°C in free-ranging conspecifics. The lack of an effect of Tmax on fGCM levels may potentially be explained by several factors, including differences in operative temperatures and the availability of water and food between free-ranging and captive settings or the stress effect of captivity itself. Our results suggest that experimental manipulations of thermal environments experienced by wild-caught captive birds have limited usefulness for testing hypotheses concerning the effects of hot weather events on fGCM (and, by extension, glucocorticoid) concentrations.
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7
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Automated Detection of Animals in Low-Resolution Airborne Thermal Imagery. REMOTE SENSING 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/rs13163276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Detecting animals to estimate abundance can be difficult, particularly when the habitat is dense or the target animals are fossorial. The recent surge in the use of thermal imagers in ecology and their use in animal detections can increase the accuracy of population estimates and improve the subsequent implementation of management programs. However, the use of thermal imagers results in many hours of captured flight videos which require manual review for confirmation of species detection and identification. Therefore, the perceived cost and efficiency trade-off often restricts the use of these systems. Additionally, for many off-the-shelf systems, the exported imagery can be quite low resolution (<9 Hz), increasing the difficulty of using automated detections algorithms to streamline the review process. This paper presents an animal species detection system that utilises the cost-effectiveness of these lower resolution thermal imagers while harnessing the power of transfer learning and an enhanced small object detection algorithm. We have proposed a distant object detection algorithm named Distant-YOLO (D-YOLO) that utilises YOLO (You Only Look Once) and improves its training and structure for the automated detection of target objects in thermal imagery. We trained our system on thermal imaging data of rabbits, their active warrens, feral pigs, and kangaroos collected by thermal imaging researchers in New South Wales and Western Australia. This work will enhance the visual analysis of animal species while performing well on low, medium and high-resolution thermal imagery.
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8
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Moagi LL, Bourne AR, Cunningham SJ, Jansen R, Ngcamphalala CA, Ganswindt A, Ridley AR, McKechnie AE. Hot days are associated with short-term adrenocortical responses in a southern African arid-zone passerine bird. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:268362. [PMID: 34032270 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.242535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Relatively little effort has been directed towards elucidating the role of physiological stress pathways in mediating avian responses to global heating. For free-ranging southern pied babblers, Turdoides bicolor, daily maximum air temperatures (Tmax) between ∼35 and ∼40°C result in reduced foraging efficiency, loss of body mass and compromised breeding success. We tested the hypothesis that very hot days are experienced as stressors by quantifying relationships between Tmax and faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) levels in naturally excreted droppings. On days when Tmax<38°C, fGCM levels were independent of Tmax (mean±s.d. 140.25±56.92 ng g-1 dry mass). At Tmax>38°C, however, fGCM levels increased linearly with Tmax and averaged 190.79±70.13 ng g-1 dry mass. The effects of Tmax on fGCM levels did not carry over to the following morning, suggesting that very hot days are experienced as acute stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesedi L Moagi
- South African Research Chair in Conservation Physiology, National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.,Department of Nature Conservation, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Amanda R Bourne
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Susan J Cunningham
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Raymond Jansen
- Department of Environmental, Water and Earth Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Celiwe A Ngcamphalala
- South African Research Chair in Conservation Physiology, National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.,DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence at the FitzPatrick Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
| | - André Ganswindt
- Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
| | - Amanda R Ridley
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Perth, WA 6009Australia
| | - Andrew E McKechnie
- South African Research Chair in Conservation Physiology, National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.,DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence at the FitzPatrick Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
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9
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Ridley AR, Wiley EM, Bourne AR, Cunningham SJ, Nelson-Flower MJ. Understanding the potential impact of climate change on the behavior and demography of social species: The pied babbler (Turdoides bicolor) as a case study. ADVANCES IN THE STUDY OF BEHAVIOR 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.asb.2021.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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10
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Majelantle TL, McIntyre T, Ganswindt A. Monitoring the effects of land transformation on African clawless otters (Aonyx capensis) using fecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations as a measure of stress. Integr Zool 2020; 15:293-306. [PMID: 31912606 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In a time of increasing environmental change caused by anthropogenic disturbance, there is a greater need to understand animal adaptations to manmade environments. In this regard, the measurement of stress-related endocrine markers provides a useful tool to examine the impact of environmental challenges and the physiological consequences for wildlife occupying such space. The aims of the present study were to validate fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) concentrations as a measure of stress using samples from a male African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis; n = 1) and to compare fGCM concentrations of otters occurring in a transformed and in 2 natural areas in South Africa. From the 5 different enzyme-immunoassays (EIA) tested, a cortisol and oxoetiocholanolone (measuring 11,17 dioxoandrostanes) EIA revealed the highest response (74% and 48% increase, respectively) 30 and 24 hours after a stress event (translocation of a captive individual as part of its rehabilitation prior to release), respectively. For both EIAs, fGCM concentrations were comparable for samples collected up to 3 h post-defecation. Using the cortisol EIA for subsequent analyses, fGCM concentrations of animals from the transformed area (n = 20; mean [± SD]: 0.468 [± 0.539] µg/g dry weight [DW]) were significantly higher (P = 0.013) than those from otters in the natural areas (n = 17; 0.242 [± 0.226] µg/g DW). These preliminary results suggest that African clawless otters may have increased adrenocortical activity that could be due to conditions linked to living in a transformed environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tshepiso L Majelantle
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Trevor McIntyre
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.,Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Andre Ganswindt
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.,Endocrine Research Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa.,Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa
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11
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Scheun J, Geiser F, Ganswindt A, Nowack J. Non-invasive evaluation of stress hormone responses in a captive population of sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps). AUSTRALIAN MAMMALOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1071/am18044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Faecal hormone monitoring offers a robust tool to non-invasively determine the physiological stress experienced by an individual when faced with natural or human-driven stressors. Although already quantified for several species, the method needs to be validated for each new species to ensure reliable quantification of the respective glucocorticoids. Here we investigated whether measurement of faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) provides a feasible and non-invasive way to assess the physiological state of sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps), an arboreal marsupial native to Australia, by using both a biological and physiological validation. Our analysis confirmed that the cortisol enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was the most appropriate assay for monitoring fGCM concentrations in sugar gliders. Comparing the fGCM response to the physiological and the biological validation, we found that while the administration of ACTH led to a significant increase in fGCM concentration in all individuals, only six of eight individuals showed a considerable fGCM response following the biological validation. Our study identified the most appropriate immunoassay for monitoring fGCM concentrations as an indicator of physiological stress in sugar gliders, but also supports recent suggestions that, if possible, both biological and physiological stressors should be used when testing the suitability of an EIA for a species.
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12
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Krone O, Bailey LD, Jähnig S, Lauth T, Dehnhard M. Monitoring corticoid metabolites in urine of white-tailed sea eagles: Negative effects of road proximity on breeding pairs. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2019; 283:113223. [PMID: 31323229 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.113223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2018] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The white-tailed sea eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) is known to be sensitive to disturbance. To better understand potential stressors, we measured corticosterone metabolite levels in H. albicilla excreta and recorded the nest success of breeding pairs. We tested the ability of four enzyme immunoassays (EIA) to measure urinary glucocorticoid metabolites (uGM) in the excreta of one adult female eagle subjected to a controlled physiological stress treatment. We identified corticosterone-21-HS to be the most sensitive EIA to changes in uGM concentration. To exclude a sex bias, we confirmed the assay's applicability with samples collected from similar stress treatments in two juvenile males. We used the identified EIA to measure uGM in wild breeding pairs and tested effects of disturbance. Breeding pairs nesting closer to roads and paths had higher uGM concentrations (p = 0.02), which is likely an effect of human recreational activity and disturbance. There was no difference in uGM concentrations between failed and successful nests. Our results highlight the potential impact of road and path proximity on white-tailed sea eagles, with potential importance for species management and conservation, particularly with respect to nest protection zone legislation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Krone
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Strasse 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Liam D Bailey
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Strasse 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Jähnig
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Strasse 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Martin Dehnhard
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Strasse 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
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13
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Fischer CP, Romero LM. Chronic captivity stress in wild animals is highly species-specific. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 7:coz093. [PMID: 31824674 PMCID: PMC6892464 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coz093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/13/2019] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Wild animals are brought into captivity for many reasons-conservation, research, agriculture and the exotic pet trade. While the physical needs of animals are met in captivity, the conditions of confinement and exposure to humans can result in physiological stress. The stress response consists of the suite of hormonal and physiological reactions to help an animal survive potentially harmful stimuli. The adrenomedullary response results in increased heart rate and muscle tone (among other effects); elevated glucocorticoid (GC) hormones help to direct resources towards immediate survival. While these responses are adaptive, overexposure to stress can cause physiological problems, such as weight loss, changes to the immune system and decreased reproductive capacity. Many people who work with wild animals in captivity assume that they will eventually adjust to their new circumstances. However, captivity may have long-term or permanent impacts on physiology if the stress response is chronically activated. We reviewed the literature on the effects of introduction to captivity in wild-caught individuals on the physiological systems impacted by stress, particularly weight changes, GC regulation, adrenomedullary regulation and the immune and reproductive systems. This paper did not review studies on captive-born animals. Adjustment to captivity has been reported for some physiological systems in some species. However, for many species, permanent alterations to physiology may occur with captivity. For example, captive animals may have elevated GCs and/or reduced reproductive capacity compared to free-living animals even after months in captivity. Full adjustment to captivity may occur only in some species, and may be dependent on time of year or other variables. We discuss some of the methods that can be used to reduce chronic captivity stress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - L Michael Romero
- Department of Biology, 200 College Ave. Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155 USA
- Corresponding author: Department of Biology, Medford, MA 02155, USA.
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