Effects of management strategies on glucocorticoids and behavior in Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis): Translocation and operant conditioning

The ex situ Indian rhino population experienced a decrease in genetic diversity indicating that the breeding program could possibly benefit from novel reproductive management strategies to ensure population sustainability. We sought to determine how management tools used for reproductive management,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Zoo biology 2014-03, Vol.33 (2), p.131-143
Main Authors: Capiro, Jonnie M, Stoops, Monica A, Freeman, Elizabeth W, Clawson, Dave, Schook, Mandi W
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
adults
Animals
Animals, Zoo - blood
Animals, Zoo - physiology
barns
behavior
Behavior, Animal - physiology
breeding
Conditioning, Operant
Conservation of Natural Resources
corticotropin
Female
females
genetic variation
glucocorticoids
Glucocorticoids - blood
Handling (Psychology)
Indian rhinoceros
Male
metabolites
operant conditioning
pastures
Perissodactyla - blood
Perissodactyla - physiology
physiological response
Rhinoceros
Rhinoceros unicornis
stereotyped behavior
stress
transport
ultrasonics
zoos
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Summary:The ex situ Indian rhino population experienced a decrease in genetic diversity indicating that the breeding program could possibly benefit from novel reproductive management strategies to ensure population sustainability. We sought to determine how management tools used for reproductive management, specifically translocation and operant conditioning, impact physiological and behavioral measures of welfare in Indian rhinos. First, an adrenocorticotropic hormone challenge performed in an adult male resulted in a 38‐fold increase in urinary and a 3.5‐fold increase in fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGM). Mean and peak FGM differed among three females, but all demonstrated elevated (P 
ISSN:0733-3188
1098-2361
DOI:10.1002/zoo.21119