Maternal Behavior, Posture Change, and Production Performance of Lactating Sows Housed in an Enriched Environment
This study aimed to evaluate whether adding straw to a loose-farrowing house promotes maternal functions and production. Forty-eight sows (Landrace× Large White) were housed in either a farrowing pen without straw (C, n = 24) or with straw (S, n = 24). Behaviors were observed using video recordings and were statistically analyzed. Lateral recumbency was […]
The effect of flipper banding on the breeding success of African Penguins Spheniscus demersus at Boulders Beach, South Africa
Concerns have been expressed over the impact of flipper banding on the survival and reproductive performance of penguins. This study compared the breeding success of banded and unbanded African Penguins Spheniscus demersus at Boulders Beach, South Africa, in 2006. It was based on 100 nests; 50 had at least one banded adult and 50 had […]
Keeping an “Ear” to the Ground: Seismic Communication in Elephants
This review explores the mechanisms that elephants may use to send and receive seismic signals from a physical, anatomical, behavioral, and physiological perspective. The implications of the use of the vibration sense as a multimodal signal will be discussed in light of the elephant’s overall fitness and survival.
Smart behaviour in a variable world
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In search of relationships between the acute adrenocortical response and fitness
The assumption that the acute response to stress is adaptive is pervasive in the literature, but there is little direct evidence regarding potential positive fitness consequences of an acute stress response. If acute glucocorticoid (GC) elevation increases lifetime reproductive success (fitness), in what contexts does this occur, and through what combination of effects on annual […]
A Manual for Control of Infectious Diseases in Amphibian Survival Assurance Colonies and Reintroduction Programs
Post-release survival of hand-reared tawny owls (Strix Aluco)
The post-release survival of hand-reared tawny owls, Strix aluco, was studied. Hand-rearing did not appear to affect the birds’ instinctive behaviour or post-release survival. The recovery of several pellets confirmed that hunting in this species is an innate process. In terms of animal welfare, hand-reared tawny owls do not appear to be at a disadvantage […]
Post-release survival of hand-reared pipistrelle bats (Pipistrellus spp)
There is very little known about the post-release survival of hand-reared pipistrelle bats (Pipistrellus spp). We radio-tracked 12 pipistrelle bats, hand-reared and released under three different protocols: i) limited pre-release flight training and over-wintering (n = 5); ii) prolonged pre-release flight training, but with limited space (n = 2) and iii) prolonged pre-release flight training […]
Post-release survival of hand-reared tawny owls (Strix aluco) based on radio-tracking and leg-band return data
The post-release survival of hand-reared tawny owls (Strix aluco) was measured using radio-tracking and leg-band return data. Of 16 birds fitted with 2.4 g radiotelemetry tags, two shed their tags after four and nine days, respectively and one bird was recovered and the tag removed. The remaining 13 birds were tracked for between 16 and […]
Factors that can be used to predict release rates for wildlife casualties
Of the wildlife casualties admitted to rehabilitation centres in England, less than half are subsequently released back into the wild. If the factors associated with survival within rehabilitation centres can be determined, they may be used to focus efforts on individuals with high chances of successful recovery, and thus improve welfare by devoting resources to […]