Badenhorst, MarchaOtto, MichelleVan der Goot, Annemieke C.Ganswindt, Andre2017-02-142016-12Marcha Badenhorst, Michelle Otto, Annemieke C van der Goot & André Ganswindt (2016) Stress steroid levels and the short-term impact of routine dehorning in female southern white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum simum), African Zoology, 51:4, 211-215, DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2016.1261002.1562-7020 (print)2224-073X (online)10.1080/15627020.2016.1261002http://hdl.handle.net/2263/59023Rhinoceros populations in Africa are under severe threat as a result of surging poaching rates and risk-mitigation strategies are continuously adapted in an attempt to ensure the survival of the species. This study compared faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) levels of two age classes of limited free-ranging female white rhinos with fGCM levels of adult free-ranging female white rhinos. Subsequently, fGCM alterations in the limited free-ranging animals were monitored following routine dehorning as a measure of the animals’ short-term physiological stress response. Baseline fGCM levels differed significantly between tested groups, with both free-ranging and limited free-ranging adult animals showing significantly higher fGCM levels compared with limited free-ranging juvenile females. In contrast, baseline fGCM levels did not differ significantly between limited free-ranging and free-ranging adult individuals. Routine dehorning procedures resulted in a short-term stress response expressed by a significant increase in fGCM levels 48 h post-dehorning, with stress steroid levels returning to pre-dehorning concentrations 72 h after the procedure.en© Zoological Society of Southern Africa 2016. This is an electronic version of an article published in African Zoology, vol. 51, no. 4, pp. 211-215, 2016. doi : 10.1080/15627020.2016.1261002. African Zoology is available online at : http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/rasr20.Non-invasive hormone monitoringPhysiological stressRoutine dehorningSouth Africa (SA)Faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM)White rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum)Postprint Article