Assessing translocation outcome: Comparing behavioral and physiological aspects of translocated and resident African elephants (Loxodonta africana)
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
2009 |
Authors: |
Noa Pinter-Wollman, Lynne A. Isbell, Lynette A. Hart |
Publication/Journal: |
Biological Conservation |
Keywords: |
body condition, habitat choice, kenya, management, relocation, stress |
ISBN: |
00063207 |
Abstract:
Evaluating translocation outcomes is important for improving wildlife management and conservation actions. Often, when quick decisions need to be made and long-lived animals with slow reproduction rates are translocated, traditional assessment methods such as long-term survival and reproductive success cannot be used for assessingtranslocation outcomes. Thus, alternative, seldom used, measures such as comparing the behavior and physiology of translocated animals to those of local residents should be employed to assess the translocated animals’ acclimation to their new home. Here we monitored the survival, physiology, and behavior of translocatedAfricanelephants (Loxodontaafricana) and compared these measures to the local resident population at the release site. Adult male and female translocatedelephants’ death rates were higher than those of the local population. Furthermore, the mortality rate of translocated adult males and calves was greater than expected based on their proportion in the translocatedelephant population. No difference was found in stress hormone levels between the two populations, but the body condition of the translocatedelephants was significantly poorer than that of the local population throughout the study period. The behavioral time budgets of the translocatedelephants converged with those of the local population over time. Finally, translocatedelephants utilized habitat that was similar to their source site (hills and permanent rivers) more than did the local population. Based on these findings we recommend careful consideration of timing, release location, and individuals targeted in future elephanttranslocations. More broadly, we introduce and explore seldom used translocation assessment techniques.