Translocation stress and faecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels in free-ranging African savanna elephants
Loading...
Date
Authors
Viljoen, Jozua Jakobus
Ganswindt, Andre
Du Toit, Johan T.
Langbauer, William Richard
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Southern African Wildlife Management Association
Abstract
There are local populations of African elephants (Loxodonta africana) which have increased to levels where they are implicated in altering vegetation types. The local reduction of elephant numbers for wildlife management objectives can involve contraception, killing excess animals, or translocation to alternative habitats. The effects these management decisions can have on the physiological stress response of free-ranging African savanna elephants are still not fully understood. We examined the effect of translocation on faecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels of an African elephant family group, which was translocated within the Kruger National Park, South Africa. We found that translocation resulted in a significant increase in faecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels (up to 646 ng/g wet weight) compared to (1) pre-translocation levels in this group, (2) post-translocation levels in this group, and (3) levels measured in undisturbed 'control' groups in the area. However, the faecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels had returned to <100 ng/g by the time the translocated animals had navigated their way back to their previous home range, covering 300 km in 23 days.
Description
Keywords
African elephant, Capture stress, Translocation, Glucocorticoids, Kruger National Park, Loxodonta africana
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Viljoen, JJ, Ganswindt, A, Du Toit, JT & Langbauer, WR 2008, 'Translocation stress and faecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels in free-ranging African savanna elephants', South African Journal of Wildlife Research, vol. 38, no. 2, pp. 146-152. [http://www.sawma.co.za/]