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Metzinger A, Meyer LCR, Buss P, Hooijberg EH, Huber N, Viljoen FP, Leiberich M, Pohlin F. Dehorning Does Not Alter the Stress Response in Southern White Rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum simum) during Transport: A Preliminary Investigation. J Wildl Dis 2024; 60:490-495. [PMID: 38314875 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-23-00061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Translocation and dehorning are common and important practices for rhinoceros management and conservation. It is not known if dehorning causes a stress response or negatively affects rhinoceroses during transport. Twenty-three subadult wild Southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) bulls were immobilized and translocated >280 km for population management reasons. Ten animals were dehorned at capture, and 13 animals were transported without dehorning. For transport, five dehorned and six nondehorned rhinoceroses were sedated with azaperone (62.38±9.54 μg/kg) and five dehorned and seven nondehorned rhinoceroses with midazolam (64.61±9.28 μg/kg). Blood samples were collected at capture, start of transport, and after 6 h of transport. Measurements included 10 physiologic variables: hematocrit, total serum protein, creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), creatinine, urea, cholesterol, β-hydroxybutyrate, and glucose; and four stress response variables: cortisol, epinephrine, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and leukocyte coping capacity. Using a linear mixed model, CK and GGT were higher in dehorned compared with nondehorned rhinoceroses. There were no significant differences in the other variables between the two groups. The likely cause of these differences is that dehorned animals spent more time in the crate before the start of transport than nondehorned rhinoceroses (3:11±0:54 h vs. 1:12±0:56 h, P<0.001). These results indicate that dehorning does not negatively alter the white rhinoceros' physiologic and stress responses during translocation, supporting its use for antipoaching measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Metzinger
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Savoyenstrasse 1, Vienna 1160, Austria
- Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Research, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Leith C R Meyer
- Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Research, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Peter Buss
- Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Research, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
- Veterinary Wildlife Services, South African National Parks, Kruger National Park, PO Box 122, Skukuza 1350, South Africa
| | - Emma H Hooijberg
- Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Research, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
| | - Nikolaus Huber
- Unit for Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, Institute for Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, Department of Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinärplatz 1, Vienna 1210, Austria
| | - Francois P Viljoen
- Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy and Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
| | - Marion Leiberich
- Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Research, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Friederike Pohlin
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Savoyenstrasse 1, Vienna 1160, Austria
- Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Research, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
- These authors contributed equally to this work
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Gent R, Barbier ID, Atkin SL, Newell-Fugate AE, Swart AC. Ultra-performance convergence chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analysis of adrenal and gonadal steroid hormones in southern white rhinoceros(Ceratotherium simum simum) faeces and serum. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2023; 1215:123576. [PMID: 36529070 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2022.123576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Steroid hormone analysis is routinely undertaken in the assessment of stress response and reproductive function in the management of both captive and free-ranging wildlife species. Faecal samples have become the preferred sample type for analysis as collection is non-invasive and easily assessable. These investigations are generally aimed at aiding successful translocations, enhanced survival outcomes in captivity and improvement of reproductive rate. Immunoassays are the most common approach in the analysis of hormones, particularly in the case of the southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum). Non-specificity, attributed to structural similarity of steroid metabolites impedes accurate evaluations which can be eliminated by chromatographic techniques which are more specific, selective and provide comprehensive analyses. This study developed and validated three methods using ultra-performance convergence chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for the assessment of classical androgens, progestogens and adrenal steroids, as well as the C11-oxy androgens and C11-oxy progestogens in serum and faeces from white rhinoceros. The limit of detection and quantification were determined for each steroid, parameters such as accuracy (<19.8 % RSD) and precision (<20.2 % RSD) were established with recovery, matrix effect, and process efficiency within acceptable limits. Subsequent analysis of serum and faecal samples from five white rhinoceros identified novel steroids for the first time in this species. In addition to the classical adrenal steroids, the following C11-oxy steroids were detected in faecal samples: 11α-hydroxydihydroprogesterone (168 ng/g), 11α-hydroxyprogesterone (125.9 ng/g), 11β-hydroxyprogesterone (210.2 ng/g) and 11-ketoandrostenedione (3.3-19.6 ng/g) with 11-deoxycortisol being the major glucocorticoid (24.2-67.3 ng/g) together with 21-deoxycortisone (40.7 ng/g) and deoxycorticosterone (7.6-14.6 ng/g). In serum samples 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione (0.35-2.34 ng/mL) and 11β-hydroxytestosterone (0.18-1.62 ng/mL) were the predominant androgens with cortisol (5.8-20.5 ng/mL), the predominant glucocorticoid, while corticosterone, 18-hydroxycorticosterone and aldosterone were also detected. These methods can be applied independently to assess either androgens, progestogens, or adrenal steroid panels or in combination to assess the cohort of gonadal and adrenal steroids in faeces and/or serum, in southern white rhinoceros as well as other wildlife species. Analysis would enable the accurate assessment of reproductive health and stress responses while also distinguishing between stress and distress thus contributing to the conservation of wildlife species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachelle Gent
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
| | - Inge D Barbier
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
| | - Stephen L Atkin
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Bahrain, Adliya, Bahrain
| | - Annie E Newell-Fugate
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, TX 77843, United States
| | - Amanda C Swart
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa; Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa.
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Goodenough AE, Price TW, Brazier DL, McDonald K. Factors affecting the behavior of captive white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) and the accuracy of ad-hoc keeper data. Zoo Biol 2023; 42:45-54. [PMID: 35929654 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Although white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) are common in captivity, few behavioral studies have been conducted and there is seemingly no research for immersive exhibits where potential for visitor effects is high. Moreover, little information exists on possible effects of weather and temperature on rhino outside their native range. Here we analyze 14,501 observations of rhino in a drive-through enclosure. Data were collected by researchers (n = 12,160 datapoints) and keepers (n = 2341 datapoints) over a 4-month period. We aimed to: (1) quantify behavior using detailed researcher-collected data and contemporaneous but ad hoc keeper-collected data; (2) compare datasets statistically; (3) establish effects of visitors, temperature, and weather on behavior; and (4) assess the influence of visitors on similarity of researcher/keeper datasets. Activity budgets were similar to the wild and the single previous study from a traditional (nondrive-through) enclosure. There was some discrepancy in activity budgets between researcher and keeper data due to significant differences in recorded frequency of two rare behaviors (horn rub; social interaction) and two behaviors that could be easily confused (grazing vs. standing with head-down): recording of other behaviors matched well. Weather and temperature affected behavior, with rhino becoming more sedentary (-locomotion, grazing; +resting, standing, and sedentary eating of hay) on hot/sunny days compared to cool/wet days. The number of visitor vehicles had a fairly negligible effect but resting was lower on busy days, possibly as vigilance increased. The match between researcher/keeper datasets was lowest when visitor numbers were high, suggesting visitors might affect keeper ability to accurately record behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne E Goodenough
- School of Natural and Social Sciences, University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham, UK
| | - Thomas W Price
- School of Natural and Social Sciences, University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham, UK
| | - Danica L Brazier
- School of Natural and Social Sciences, University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham, UK
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Chimes LC, Beytell P, Muntifering JR, Kötting B, Neville V. Effects of dehorning on population productivity in four Namibia sub-populations of black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis bicornis). EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2022; 68:58. [PMID: 35992995 PMCID: PMC9378341 DOI: 10.1007/s10344-022-01607-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
The black rhinoceros (rhino) (Diceros bicornis) is critically endangered, with poaching being one of several threats to the species’ survival. Many reserves across several countries, including Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, now dehorn their rhinos in an attempt to reduce poaching. Historical data collected by the Namibian Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism and Save the Rhino Trust were used to investigate whether dehorning has an effect on age at first reproduction (AFR), inter-calving interval (ICI), birth sex ratios, calf survival, cause of death, and lifespan. These were assessed in four Namibian sub-populations (hereafter referred to as ‘populations’) of black rhino (denoted A, B, C, and D) which have undergone varying levels of dehorning. No significant difference was found in any of the variables between dehorned and horned individuals. Population was a significant predictor of AFR (LRT = 7.433, p = 0.024) and ICI (LRT = 13.281, p = 0.004), although pairwise comparisons only found populations A and B to be significantly different (AFR: z = −2.736, p = 0.017, ICI: z = −3.705, p = 0.001). Additionally, a significantly higher number of males than females were born in population D (p = 0.021, CI = 0.544, 0.960). The main cause of death across all individuals was poaching, although there was no significant difference in the proportion of rhinos poached between dehorned and horned individuals (X2 = 0.638, p = 0.424, n = 265). No evidence was found to suggest that dehorning has any effect on AFR, ICI, birth sex ratios, calf survival, or lifespan in the black rhino, which is reassuring in the continued use of dehorning as an anti-poaching technique in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy C. Chimes
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol, BS40 5DU UK
| | - Piet Beytell
- Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, P/Bag 13306, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Jeff R. Muntifering
- Save the Rhino Trust, PO Box 2159, Swakopmund, Namibia
- Great Plains Zoo, 805 S. Kiwanis Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD USA
- Namibia University of Science and Technology, Private Bag 13388, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Birgit Kötting
- Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, P/Bag 13306, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Vikki Neville
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol, BS40 5DU UK
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Madliger CL, Creighton MJA, Raby GD, Bennett JR, Birnie‐Gauvin K, Lennox RJ, Cooke SJ. Physiology as a tool for at‐risk animal recovery planning: An analysis of Canadian recovery strategies with global recommendations. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Christine L. Madliger
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science Carleton University Ottawa ON Canada
- Integrative Biology Department University of Windsor Windsor ON Canada
| | | | - Graham D. Raby
- Biology Department Trent University Peterborough ON Canada
| | | | - Kim Birnie‐Gauvin
- Section for Freshwater Fisheries and Ecology Technical University of Denmark Kongens Lyngby Denmark
- University of California Santa Barbara Santa Barbara CA USA
| | - Robert J. Lennox
- Norwegian Research Centre (NORCE) Laboratory for Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries Bergen Norway
| | - Steven J. Cooke
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science Carleton University Ottawa ON Canada
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Penny SG, Withey M, White RL, Scott DM, MacTavish L, Pernetta AP. Changes in social dominance in a group of subadult white rhinoceroses ( Ceratotherium simum) after dehorning. AFRICAN ZOOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2022.2046155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel G Penny
- Ecology, Conservation and Zoonosis Research Group, School of Applied Sciences, University of Brighton, United Kingdom
- Bristol Zoological Society, Clifton, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Maxim Withey
- Ecology, Conservation and Zoonosis Research Group, School of Applied Sciences, University of Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel L White
- Ecology, Conservation and Zoonosis Research Group, School of Applied Sciences, University of Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Dawn M Scott
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom
| | - Lynne MacTavish
- Ecology, Conservation and Zoonosis Research Group, School of Applied Sciences, University of Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Angelo P Pernetta
- Ecology, Conservation and Zoonosis Research Group, School of Applied Sciences, University of Brighton, United Kingdom
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Madliger CL. Horn today, gone tomorrow-dehorning as an anti-poaching practice for white rhinos. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 9:coab012. [PMID: 33815800 PMCID: PMC8009550 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coab012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
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