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- Title
Stress response assessment during translocation of captive-bred Greater Rheas into the wild.
- Authors
Lèche, A.; Vera Cortez, M.; Della Costa, N.; Navarro, J.; Marin, R.; Martella, M.
- Abstract
Translocation is an extensively used conservation tool that involves exposing animals to stressful situations that may influence the post-release survival. In this study, 20 Greater Rhea ( Rhea americana) adults hatched and reared in captivity were translocated to a wildlife refuge. After transport and before release, animals were kept in pens at the liberation site to make a 'soft-release' strategy. Fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGM) were monitored during pre-transportation, post-transportation and pre-release, and post-release phases as an indicator of the stress of translocation and acclimation to the new environment. During pre-transportation phase, FGM levels found were consistent with the baseline concentrations described for this species for males and females, respectively. On day 1 after transportation, FGM levels were increased in both sexes, returning to baseline values during the maintenance in the pens. Although the handling and transportation triggered an acute stress response, the procedures used and the soft release in pens allowed Rheas to reestablish quickly baseline FGM levels. After release into the novel wildlife refuge, FGM levels were increased again and remained similarly increased during the following 2 months of the study. Findings suggest a strong chronic stress response, probably triggered by a combination of many factors (i.e. novelty, attacks from predators, social interactions, human related disturbances such as poaching, vehicular noise, hunting dogs) that may reduce the bird's ability to solve new challenging situations, especially the illegal hunting pressure that seems to be a significant threat in this species.
- Subjects
BIRDS; GENETICS; GREATER rhea; CHROMOSOMAL translocation; BIRD conservation; ORNITHOLOGY
- Publication
Journal of Ornithology, 2016, Vol 157, Issue 2, p599
- ISSN
2193-7192
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s10336-015-1305-3