Assessment of faecal cortisol in captive elephants of Tamil Nadu state: An indicator of stress
A study was undertaken to assess the faecal cortisol levels in captive elephants of Tamil Nadu state. Fresh dung samples from 25 temple elephants, 7 elephants in mudumalai camp and 18 elephants in Anamalai camp were collected in 80% methanol added air tight containers. The overtaxing extraction method was used for extraction of glucocorticoids from […]
Effects of social stress on the welfare of captive male Alpine musk deer: Stereotypic behavior, fecal cortisol, and musk secretion
Wild Alpine musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster), which are native to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and surrounding areas, have been kept in captivity as an effective way to conserve musk deer ex situ and sustainably utilize musk resources. From 1 November to 31 December of 2019, the behaviors of 40 captive Alpine musk deer in Xinglongshan Musk […]
Effects of scent enrichment on behavioral and physiological indicators of stress in zoo primates
Captive breeding is vital for primate conservation, with modern zoos serving a crucial role in breeding populations of threatened species and educating the general public. However, captive populations can experience welfare issues that may also undermine their reproductive success. To enhance the wellbeing of endangered zoo primates, we conducted a study to assess the effects […]
Effects of scent enrichment on behavioral and physiological indicators of stress in zoo primates
Captive breeding is vital for primate conservation, with modern zoos serving a crucial role in breeding populations of threatened species and educating the general public. However, captive populations can experience welfare issues that may also undermine their reproductive success. To enhance the wellbeing of endangered zoo primates, we conducted a study to assess the effects […]
Stereotypic behavior and fecal cortisol level in captive giant pandas in relation to environmental enrichment
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.20106.abs Stereotypic behavior is exhibited by a wide range of captive animals. Its association with hormones, especially elevated cortisol level and lack of naturalistic stimuli in the environment, has been little studied. This study hypothesizes that stereotypic behavior is caused by stress due to lack of appropriate, naturalistic stimuli in the environment. Using four […]
Terrestrial predator alarm vocalizations are a valid monitor of stress in captive brown capuchins (Cebus apella)
Abstract 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1999)18:43.3.CO;2-X The vocal behavior of captive animals is increasingly exploited as an index of well-being. Here we show that the terrestrial predator alarm (TPA) vocalization, a robust and acoustically distinctive anti-predation vocal response present in many mammal and bird species, offers useful information on the relative well-being and stress levels of captive animals. In […]
Impact of Zoo Visitors on the Fecal Cortisol Levels and Behavior of an Endangered Species: Indian Blackbuck (Antelope cervicapra L.)
This study investigated behavioral activities (resting, moving, aggressive, social, and reproductive behavior) and fecal cortisol levels in 8 individually identified adult male blackbucks during periods of varying levels of zoo visitors (zero, low, high, and extremely high zoo visitor density). This study also elucidated whether zoo visitor density could disturb nonhuman animal welfare. This study […]
Physiological and behavioral responses to routine procedures in captive common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)
The effect of routine captive procedures on the welfare of species used as experimental models in biomedical research is of great interest, since stress may alter the generalization and interpretation of results. This study investigated behavioral and endocrine (fecal cortisol) reactivity patterns in common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) adult males (N = 10) and females (N […]