Understanding the patterns and predictors of human-elephant conflict in Tamil Nadu, India

European Journal of Wildlife Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 70(5)

Published: Sept. 14, 2024

Language: Английский

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Using Faecal Cortisol Metabolites to Assess Adrenocortical Activity in Wild‐Living Alpine Marmot Marmota marmota: A Biological Validation Experiment

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(2)

Published: Jan. 29, 2025

ABSTRACT Faecal cortisol/corticosterone metabolites (FCMs) have become increasingly popular as an easy‐to‐sample, non‐invasive and feedback‐free alternative to assess glucocorticoid (GC) levels, key components of the neuroendocrine stress response other physiological processes. While FCMs can be a powerful aid, for instance, gaining insights into ecological evolutionary processes, well animal welfare or impacts anthropogenic stressors on wildlife populations, this method comes with specific challenges. Because GCs are heavily metabolised before excretion, it is critical validate enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) used measure FCMs. Additionally, because species may differ in metabolite profiles, assay validation must performed separately each focal species. Despite this, use unvalidated assays remains widespread. We biological experiment test set EIAs adrenocortical activity free‐living Alpine marmots Marmot marmota . capitalised capture handling part relocation project under assumption that capture, represent stressful event tracked changes FCM levels over following 48 h. Faeces samples collected at were assumed return baseline levels. Of three tested, only 11‐oxoetiocholanolone ‘72T’ EIA detected increase about 18 h after capture. This result paves way future studies using investigate

Language: Английский

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Fecal glucocorticoid metabolite and T3 profiles of orphaned elephants differ from non-orphaned elephants in Zambia

PeerJ, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13, P. e19122 - e19122

Published: April 4, 2025

Background Elephants provide valuable insight into how early-life adverse events (ELAEs) associate with animal health and welfare because they can live to advanced ages, display extensive cognitive memory capabilities, rely heavily on social bonds. Although it is known that African savanna elephants experienced ELAEs, such as being orphaned due human activities, have altered behavioral outcomes, little regarding the physiological consequences associated those stressors. Methods We compared fecal glucocorticoid (fGCM) thyroid (fT3) metabolites well body condition scores (BCS) in rescued rehabilitated (early-dry season: n = 20; late-dry 21 elephants) Kafue National Park, Zambia age- sex-matched wild non-orphaned controls groups 57; 22 during early- (May/June) late- (September/October) dry seasons, respectively. Age sex were for orphans. For non-orphan controls, age was estimated based dung diameter, determined external genitalia. Hormone concentrations between by class account developmental nutritional transitions early life. Given environmental stressors ( e.g. , availability of food water sources) change over course season, seasons separated analyses. Results fGCM higher orphans at younger ages than any age. This may be temporally closer traumatic event thus not having had sufficient time establish meaningful bonds could buffer negative outcomes ELAEs. Alternatively, acclimated living under care, resulting different from older ages. Orphans also significantly mean fT3 non-orphans, suggesting increased caloric intake rehabilitation. There no difference BCS orphan or period, possibly reflecting limitations assessments elephants. Conclusions Together, these results possible responses underlying ELAEs and/or including alterations concentrations, particularly While hormonal changes suggest a response trauma, support acclimation care mitigate long-term stress effects, highlighting critical role integration elephant rehabilitation conservation efforts.

Language: Английский

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Comparison of methods for faecal hormone preservation and analysis in African savanna elephants under field conditions

Conservation Physiology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Abstract Noninvasive faecal hormone analyses can provide valuable information on the physiological state of wild animals and how they respond to ecological changes or anthropogenic disturbances. However, preservation techniques prevent alteration be problematic, not all are field friendly. We compared five processing methodologies preserve samples for glucocorticoid, progestagen thyroid metabolites. Samples were collected from adult zoo Africa savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana) (one male, four females) immediately after defecation. Subsamples then subjected methods: lyophilisation (LYO) (considered gold standard), dehydration, solid-phase extraction (SPE) two ethanol methods—with without being dried down. Faecal metabolites quantified by validated enzyme immunoassays. After 7 days at room temperature (to emulate shipping conditions), glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations lower methods LYO. For concentrations, dehydration process resulted in higher LYO, whereas with SPE, lower. there no discernible differences across methods. Based these results, we recommend followed immediate sample desiccation, a method that combines technical simplicity advantage ambient storage transportation. Nevertheless, each investigator should consider best research question, conditions, budget, equipment accessibility requirements, especially as results vary species assay used. With growing interest assessing animal welfare, validating noninvasive monitoring is essential.

Language: Английский

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Physiological changes in captive elephants in northern Thailand as a result of the COVID-19 tourism ban—stress biomarkers

Frontiers in Veterinary Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: Feb. 9, 2024

The international travel ban instituted by the Thai government in March 2020 response to COVID-19 pandemic greatly affected how tourist camp elephants were managed, with reductions exercise opportunities, longer chaining hours, and diminished food provisioning. This study was conducted determine those changes health welfare biomarkers individual over 2 years of countrywide lockdown (April 2020-April 2022). Blood fecal samples collected from 58 at six camps (monthly Year 1, quarterly 2) analyzed for stress - glucocorticoid metabolites (fGCM), serum oxidative [malondialdehyde (MDA) 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)], leukograms. Overall, fGCM concentrations increased within first few months remained higher than pre-COVID levels, as did H/L ratio, a measure cortisol. Serum 8-OHdG, an indicator DNA damage, also time, while monocytosis lymphopenia further suggested alterations immune function result stress. By contrast, another marker stress, MDA, declined, possibly reduced roughage supplement intake. A notable finding seasonal pattern that significantly different previous studies. Whereas during rainy season observed this study, previously, highest winter, high season. Thus, ironically, both presence absence tourists have been associated concentrations, albeit reasons. Camp management factors negatively affecting outcomes included shorter chain lengths, lack exercise, supplements. it clear struggled maintain adequate care pandemic, highlighting importance income need contingency plans cope potential future disruptions tourism.

Language: Английский

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Do African Savanna Elephants (Loxodonta africana) Show Interspecific Social Long‐Term Memory for Their Zoo Keepers?

Zoo Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 44(1), P. 3 - 15

Published: Oct. 7, 2024

"An elephant never forgets" is a popular phrase that refers not only to the elephant's extraordinary ability remember migration routes but also its pronounced social long-term memory (SLTM). Previous studies have shown intra- and interspecies SLTM performance, of elephants memories individual humans has yet been investigated. We tested this interspecific using auditory, olfactory, visual stimuli, each from familiar unfamiliar persons, in two African savanna (Loxodonta africana) cows living zoo. The two-choice object tests revealed higher interest sensory stimuli keepers they had seen for 13 years than people. Statistically significant differences were found olfactory stimuli. In addition, there was significantly more current Contrary results previous study with elephants, observed Due small sample size magnitude influencing factors, is, outdoor experiment, spatial separation animals, these represent indications possible SLTM. Nevertheless, we able provide first empirical evidence L. africana stores information about specific people over long period time. Further larger sizes, cross-modal testing, disliked by could insights.

Language: Английский

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Elephant Reproduction

Elsevier eBooks, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

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Development of a welfare assessment tool for tourist camp elephants in Asia

PeerJ, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12, P. e18370 - e18370

Published: Oct. 28, 2024

Approximately one-third of Asian elephants are managed under human care, participating in educational, cultural, religious, and tourist activities. Management conditions vary considerably among venues, raising questions about whether welfare needs consistently being met, particularly for camp elephants. To evaluate the well-being engaged activities, an evidence-based tool is needed routine assessments to identify potential risks, aid development better standards, enable caretakers address specific concerns. While many animal tools exist, none have been designed consider environments management practices faced by living working camps.

Language: Английский

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