Glucocorticoid Production, Activity Levels, And Personality Traits Of Fennec Foxes (Vulpes zerda) Managed For Different Roles In Zoos
Fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) concentrations, activity, and personality were assessed for 35 fennec foxes (Vulpes zerda) to determine whether animals managed as ambassadors differed from exhibit or off-exhibit animals. A FGM assay, pedometer, and personality assessment tool were validated. Then, fecal samples and movement data were collected during winter and summer periods. Handling was recorded, […]
Effect of Visitor Number on the Behavior and Cortisol Metabolites Concentrations of Sambar Deer (Cervus unicolor) in Captivity
The effect of the visitor on animal behavior in captivity has been widely reported. However, whether this visitor-effect also influences stress for captive animals is still limited and absent for captive Sambar deer (Cervus unicolor). Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the effect of visitor numbers on the behavior and cortisol metabolites […]
The effect of energetic and psychosocial stressors on glucocorticoids in mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata)
The proximate causes of variation in glucocorticoids (GCs) of many free-ranging primates are still unclear, and in some cases, the available evidence is contradictory. Such is the case of mantled howler monkeys. In the present study, we tested whether variation in GC levels in this species could be predicted by energetic challenges or by psychosocial […]
Heart Rate Variability as an Indicator of Chronic Stress Caused by Lameness in Dairy Cows
Most experimental studies on animal stress physiology have focused on acute stress, while chronic stress, which is also encountered in intensive dairy cattle farming-e.g. in case of lameness-, has received little attention. We investigated heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) as indicators of the autonomic nervous system activity and fecal glucocorticoid concentrations as […]