Long-term effects of different handling procedures on behavioural, physiological, and production-related parameters in silver foxes

Fifty-one silver fox vixens, subjected to three different handling treatments as cubs (no-handling, gentle or forced handling), were studied for long-term effects on behavioural, physiological and production-related parameters in a one and a half year period following the last handling session. As juveniles, the animals were exposed to three different behavioural tests at 18, 22, 28, and 32 weeks of age. Both forcibly and gently handled animals showed reduced fear responses compared with nonhandled controls in test situations involving close contact with humans (P < 0.05). The foxes were tested again as adults at 10, 13, 15, and 18 months of age with the same behavioural tests. It was revealed that forcibly handled animals persistently showed reduced fear responses compared with control animals, both in close contact with humans and when exposed to a novel object, whereas gently handled animals only differed from control animals in one of the tests involving some human contact and when exposed to a novel object (P < 0.05). Significant differences between adult gently handled and forcibly handled animals were found in the “confront’ test involving close human contact. In this test more flight responses were observed in the gently handled group than in the forcibly handled group (P < 0.01). Control animals had significantly larger adrenal weights compared with both forcibly handled animals and gently handled animals at 22 months of age (total mean adrenal weight: controls, 0.62 g; gentle, 0.54 g; forced, 0.54 g, P < 0.05, general linear models). Other physiological measures and production-related parameters such as body weight, body size, gastric ulceration and pelt qualities did not differ between treatments (P > 0.05). Early post-weaning handling made foxes less fearful towards humans. Forced handling seemed somewhat superior to gentle handling as a means to produce animals which, in the long term, adapted better to the farm environment both behaviourally and physiologically. Non-handled control animals suffered from long-term stress as reflected by high levels of fear responses and enlarged adrenals. Thus post-weaning handling may be beneficial in the long term for the wellbeing of farmed foxes. When applied as a management routine, handling had no significant influence on later production-related parameters and was not considered an economic risk.     

Relationships between handling,behaviour and stress in lambs at abattoirs

There is community concern about the treatment of farm animals post-farm gate, particularly animal transport and slaughter. Relationships between lamb behavioural and physiological variables on farm, stockperson, dog and lamb behavioural variables pre-slaughter and plasma cortisol, glucose and lactate in lambs post-slaughter were studied in 400 lambs. The lambs were observed in three behavioural tests, novel arena, flight distance to a human and temperament tests, before transport for slaughter. Closed-circuit television video footage was used to record stockperson, dog and lamb behaviour immediately before slaughter. Blood samples for cortisol, glucose and lactate analyses were collected on farm following the three behavioural tests and immediately post-slaughter. The regression models that best predicted plasma cortisol, glucose and lactate concentrations post-slaughter included a mixture of stockperson and dog behavioural variables as well as lamb variables both on-farm and pre-slaughter. These regression models accounted for 33%, 34% and 44% of the variance in plasma cortisol, glucose and lactate concentrations post-slaughter, respectively. Some of the stockperson and dog behaviours pre-slaughter that were predictive of the stress and metabolic variables post-slaughter included the duration of negative stockperson behaviours such as fast locomotion and lifting/pulling lambs, and the duration of dog behaviours such as lunging and barking at the lamb, while some of the predictive lamb behaviour variables included the durations of jumping and fleeing. Some of the physiological and behavioural responses to the behavioural tests on farm were also predictive of the stress and metabolic variables post-slaughter. These relationships support the well-demonstrated effect of handling on fear and stress responses in livestock, and although not direct evidence of causal relationships, highlight the potential benefits of training stockpeople to reduce fear and stress in sheep at abattoirs.     

Behavioural patterns associated with faecal cortisol levels in free-ranging female ring-tailed lemurs, Lemur catta

The study of physiological stress and its context in free-ranging animals provides a means for understanding the challenges found in the natural habitat. Patterns of physiological stress in free-ranging animals have yet to be well characterized. Methodological difficulties in measuring physiological responses in the natural habitat have limited this area of research. In this research, physiological stress in free-ranging ring-tailed lemurs, Lemur catta, was estimated using a steroid-extraction method to measure cortisol levels from female faeces. Ten females were observed across two social groups in southwestern Madagascar during a 5-month period including portions of the annual wet and dry seasons. I used behavioural measures to estimate predation threat, food accessibility and individual dominance status, to determine whether these variables predict faecal cortisol levels. Faecal cortisol levels were relatively high during two distinct periods: one period coincided with late gestation and the other period corresponded with the end of the dry season, when high-intensity antipredatory behaviour and estimates of feeding effort were elevated. In addition, faecal cortisol measures were significantly correlated with dominance indices: high-index individuals had high cortisol values, and low-index individuals had low cortisol values. These results suggest that faecal cortisol measures can be used to assess seasonal and individual differences in adrenal activity in this lemurid primate, and that this measure could provide a means for quantifying physiological stress in free-ranging animals. Copyright 1999 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.     

Effects of capture stress on free-ranging, reproductively active male Weddell seals

Physiological stress responses to capture may be an indicator of welfare challenges induced by animal handling. Simultaneously, blood chemistry changes induced by stress responses may confound experimental design by interacting with the biological parameters being measured. Cortisol elevation is a common indicator of stress responses in mammals and reproductive condition can profoundly influence endocrine response. We measured changes in blood cortisol and testosterone induced by handling reproductively active male Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) early and late in the breeding season. Weddell seals have the highest resting cortisol levels of all mammals yet showed a clear, prolonged elevation in cortisol in response to capture. Responses were similar when first caught and when caught a second time, later in the breeding season. Baseline testosterone levels declined over the breeding season but were not altered by capture. Administering a light dose of diazepam significantly ameliorated the cortisol response of handled animals without affecting testosterone levels. This may be an effective way of reducing acute capture stress responses. Male breeding success in years males were handled was no different to the years they were not, despite the acute capture response, suggesting no long-term impact of handling on male reproductive output.     

Effects of early handling on heifers' subsequent reactivity to humans and to unfamiliar situations

The influence of early handling on the behavioural and physiological responses of Friesian heifers to unfamiliar situations and human manipulation was studied. Forty abimals were used. The animals were reared in 4 groups of 10, under standard artificial husbandry conditions. Animals of one group (control animals) were handled only in respect of the demands of normal husbandry. Experimental animals were subjected to additional handling, which consisted of brushing twice a day and leading with a halter. All handled animals received the same amount of handling (30 days) but at different periods in life: 3 days/week from 0 to 3 months of age (Group 0–3); 3 days/week from 6 to 9 months of age (Group 6–9); or 3 days/month from 0 to 9 months of age (Group –9).

When the animals were 15 months old, each heifer, from each treatment group, was tested individually and once only in a set of behavioural tests designed to investigate fearfulness (in the presence or absence of human contact) and the ease with which the animal could be handled.

Animals from Group 0–9, and to a lesser extent those from Group 6–9, were less reactive than controls in tests involving the presence of a human. However, in most cases Group 0–3 animals did not differ significantly from controls. Thus, it would appear that only prolonged handling during early life substantially influences man-animal relationships.

In the fear-eliciting tests, which did not involve human contact, only the responses of Group 0–9 animals differed significantly from those of the controls. It is suggested that temporary prolonged handling influences the expression of fear responses in heifers.     

Evidence for activation of endogenous opioid systems in mice following short exposure to stable flies

Biting flies influence both physiology and behaviour of domestic and wild animals. This study demonstrates that brief (30 min) exposure of male and female mice to stable flies leads to significant increases in nociceptive responses, indicative of the induction of analgesia. The biting fly-induced analgesia was mediated by endogenous opioid systems as it was blocked by the prototypic opiate antagonist naloxone. Exposure for 30 min to the bedding of biting fly-exposed mice also induced significant opioid mediated analgesic responses in mice. Exposure to either house flies or the bedding of house fly-exposed mice had no significant effects on nociception. These results indicate that brief exposure to either stable flies, or to olfactory cues associated with mice exposed to stable flies, activates endogenous opioid systems leading to the induction of analgesia and likely other opioid mediated behavioural and physiological stress responses. These results suggest the involvement of endogenous opioid systems in the mediation of the behavioural and physiological consequences of biting fly exposure in domestic and wild animals.     

Behavioural,endocrine and immune consequences of mixing in weaned piglets

Mixing piglets at weaning increases plasma cortisol concentrations and agonistic behaviour. In contrast to what is observed in older pigs, studies failed to show any effect of social environment on other behavioural variables or on immune function. The lack of effect of mixing may not reflect an absence of stress, but rather the fact that the physiological effects of social reorganisation are masked by the much more important effects of diet change. The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the reactivity of piglets to mixing by dissociating social reorganisation from weaning in itself. For this purpose, the influence of mixing was investigated 5 days after weaning (day 0) in eight control (C) and eight mixed (M) female pigs. Salivary cortisol and behavioural activity were measured from day −1 to day 3. Blood lymphocyte proliferation was measured on days 0 and 3. Cortisol levels were increased after mixing and returned to basal values within 24 h. Blood lymphocyte proliferation was not affected. Mixing increased resting behaviour. Cortisol and behavioural responses were influenced by the social position of individuals in their new group. Piglets seemed to avoid conflicting encounters by diminishing the synchronisation of their activities with their new group. These results suggest that social reorganisation could be stressful for weaned pigs. However, piglets seem to develop behavioural strategies, which could explain the absence of long-term endocrine and immune consequences of mixing.     

Previous handling and gentle interactions affect behaviour and heart rate of dairy cows during a veterinary procedure

Veterinary and management procedures often are aversive to the animals, resulting in physiological and behavioural stress reactions, which increase the risk of accidents and might lower performance. We investigated the effects of previous positive handling and of gentle interactions during the procedure on behaviour and heart rate in dairy cows during rectal palpation with sham insemination. Twenty cows were allocated randomly into two groups of 10 animals: handling, received additional positive handling over a period of four weeks by one person (handler); control, only routine handling by different caretakers. The week after the handling period, tests lasting 9 min, including 4 min rectal palpation, were carried out with each animal on four successive days in four situations in a balanced order: cow is alone during the test, with the handler, with an usual caretaker, or with an unknown person. Behaviour and heart rate were recorded.Previously handled animals had lower heart rate during tests (P≤0.05, n=19), kicked less when alone (P≤0.05, n=19) and tended to show less restless behaviour (P≤0.1, n=19). Cows were further calmed by gentle interactions during the test, but people differed remarkably. Cows showed less restless behaviour when gentled by the handler, both in the 4 min of rectal palpation and in the 9 min test period (each: P≤0.001, n=19). No significant stress reducing effect was found for the other two persons.In conclusion, stress reactions of cows during rectal palpation/insemination can be reduced by previous positive handling as well as by a person providing positive, gentle interactions during the procedure. The results underline the importance of positive, gentle interactions with the animals to enhance animal welfare and reduce the risk of accidents. They also show that people differ in the success to calm down the animals in aversive situations and indicate the need to investigate the characteristics responsible for the differences and identify the preconditions for a stress reducing effect in future research.     

The effects of capture, handling, confinement and ectoparasite load on plasma levels of cortisol, glucose and lactate in the coral reef fish Hemigymnus melapterus

Tropical labrids Hemigymnus melapterus sampled underwater had low plasma levels of cortisol, glucose, and lactate. Plasma cortisol levels were elevated by capture stress within 5–6 min, while glucose and lactate levels were not. Plasmalevels of cortisol and glucose increased after 2–4 h of handling and transport to the laboratory. Levels of cortisol and glucose fell with laboratory acclimation back to values similar to those found in wild fish. Parasitism by gnathiid isopods across an order of magnitude of isopod numbers had no effect on plasma levels of cortisol or glucose. Thus, H. melapterus has a stress response similar to that shown by temperate species, and relatively high parasite loads are not apparently stressful to fish in the wild. This may be related to the counterproductive effects of physiological stress responses on the immune system or behaviour-modulated processes that counter parasitic invasion.     

Effect of myiasis and acute restraint stress on plasma levels of immunoreactive beta-endorphin, adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) and cortisol in the sheep

Cutaneous myiasis in sheep arising from the activity of Lucilia cuprina larvae can result in significant physiological changes in susceptible animals. The stress imposed on the pituitary-adrenal axis of the sheep in response to myiasis and acute restraint is the subject of this investigation. Merino wethers were exposed to handling restraint, and blood sampling, during examination for blowfly strike; where necessary, they were treated for cutaneous myiasis. Significant changes in the plasma concentrations of immunoreactive beta-endorphin (beta-EP), ACTH and cortisol were found in sheep with extensive myiasis, as compared with unstruck sheep or those with only localized myiasis. In five susceptible sheep with extensive cutaneous myiasis, mean plasma levels of beta-EP, ACTH and cortisol were 307 +/- 71 pg ml-1, 953 +/- 58 pg ml-1 and 232 +/- 46 nmol l-1 respectively, compared with 818 +/- 89 pg ml-1, 641 +/- 41 pg ml-1 and 107 +/- 17 nmol l-1 in six unstruck sheep handled similarly. Whereas significant increases in plasma ACTH and cortisol can result from pituitary-adrenal responses to acute emotional or surgical stress, and are usually accompanied by a concomitant release of beta-EP from the pituitary, the present findings indicate a marked reduction in beta-EP levels and a significant increase in ACTH and cortisol in sheep following blowfly strike and acute handling restraint. This result suggests that cutaneous myiasis in susceptible sheep can alter the pituitary-adrenal response to acute restraint stress, and this could occur either by an alteration of precursor processing in the pituitary or by the selective release of ACTH.     

Adrenocortical responsiveness in southern elephant seal mothers and pups during lactation and the effect of scientific handling

We examined the cortisol responses to chemical and physical restraint stress in southern elephant seal Mirounga leonina females and their pups at three stages during lactation. In anaesthetised females the serum cortisol levels changed moderately during the 45-min sampling period following restraint, with average peaks at 23 min after anaesthetic administration. Overall, cortisol was relatively low 2 days postpartum and increased throughout lactation. In physically restrained pups serum cortisol increased rapidly after capture; the response was milder at age 2 days than at 11 days and 21 days. Levels were higher in female pups than in males. In order to test whether cortisol levels and/or responses became chronically (i.e. days to weeks) altered due to restraint, we compared the cortisol response at a late stage of lactation between three groups of mother-pup pairs previously given different levels of chemical (mothers) or physical (pups) restraint stress: control (not handled previously), moderate treatment (previously handled twice), and high treatment (previously handled 3-4 times). Pups of the three treatment groups showed similar adrenocortical responses suggesting no chronic effect of repeated physical restraint, despite the clear acute effects. Mothers of the control and moderate treatment groups showed similar cortisol responses; however, mothers of the high treatment group showed significantly attenuated responses. This indicated that elephant seals tolerated moderate degrees of handling disturbance; however, repeated (3-4) chemical immobilisations in lactating females may reduce their adrenocortical responsiveness for a period of days or weeks.     

Juvenile pallid (Scaphirhynchus albus) and hybrid pallidxshovelnose (S. albusxplatorynchus) sturgeons exhibit low physiological responses to acute handling and severe confinement

Following a 7.5-h transport haul, juvenile pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) showed a small but significant increase in plasma cortisol to 4.7 ng ml(-1) but similar increases did not occur after fish were handled in a net held in the air for 30 s. Subsequent experiments on yearling pallid sturgeon and hybrid pallidxshovelnose (S. albusxplatorynchus) sturgeon using the same 30-s handling stressor failed to evoke increases in plasma cortisol, lactate or glucose. Plasma cortisol increased significantly from about 2 to 13-14 ng ml(-1) in both pallid and hybrid sturgeon during a 6-h severe confinement stressor with handling. Plasma cortisol in 2-year-old pallid sturgeon subjected to the same stressor demonstrated a linear pattern of increase during the initial 1 h. Plasma lactate increased from 1.11 to about 2.11 mmol l(-1) in hybrid sturgeon during the first hour of severe confinement but did not change throughout the entire confinement period in pallid sturgeon. A significant increase in plasma cortisol to 5.4 ng ml(-1) in 2-year-old pallid sturgeon 1 h after being subjected to 30 s handling at 19:00 h but not at 07:00 or 13:00 h suggests that a small diurnal variation in their stress response may exist. Although both pallid and hybrid sturgeons were responsive to stress, they exhibited very low physiological responses compared with those following equivalent stressors in most teleostean fishes or another chondrostean, the paddlefish (Polyodon spathula). Reasons for the apparent low responses to handling and confinement in scaphirhynchid sturgeons are not known but may relate to their evolutionary history, neuroendocrine mechanisms involved in their corticosteroid responses, or anatomy of their interrenal tissue structure.     

Behavioural characteristics of two dairy breeds of cows selected (Hérens) or not (Brune des Alpes) for fighting and dominance ability

Two breeds of dairy cattle, one selected for intra-specific fighting and dominance ability (Hérens, H), the other not selected for this behavioural trait (Brune des Alpes, BA), submitted to the same management techniques, were compared with respect to their social behaviour (dominance, agonistic behaviour, social tolerance, social motivation, social distance), fear reactions, ease of handling and physiological correlates.As expected, cows from the H breed were dominant over the BA cows, they were also less fearful either in response to novel objects or in surprise effect tests and had higher social distances at pasture.On the contrary, H cows were less aggressive in undisturbed groups and more tolerant in a food-competition test than BA cows. There were no differences between the two breeds either in aggressive acts in encounters with unfamiliar animals, or in persistence in conflict situations.Furthermore, H cows were less easy to handle in a standardised test, and tended to be less socially motivated than BA cows. Lastly, H cows had higher plasma testosterone levels, and tended to present a lower increase in plasma cortisol level after a surprise effect than BA cows.Thus, the breeders' selection for fighting and dominance ability in H breed appears to have led to several behavioural and hormonal changes.     

Habitat use and social structure of an isolated population of guanacos (Lama guanicoe) in the Monte Desert, Argentina

We studied abundance, habitat use and social structure of an isolated population of guanacos in the Lihue Calel National Park in central Argentina, based on data from foot surveys during 1998–2000. Based on topography and vegetation characteristics we distinguished three types of habitat: hills, valleys and piedmonts, and lowlands. Three types of social groups were observed: solitary males, family groups and male groups. The guanacos used hills preferentially, followed by valley and piedmont. The guanacos avoided the lowlands where the vegetation is dense. Habitat selection, both on a coarse and a fine scale, could be explained by habitat quality and possibly also predator avoidance behaviour. Abundance of guanacos increased by 21% over the 3-year-study period. However, the specificity of habitat requirements of guanacos and the susceptibility of the study area to wildfires could cause guanacos to move into sub-optimal areas were they are more vulnerable to predation and human persecution.     

Intranasal administration of xylazine to reduce stress in elk captured by net gun

Forty free-ranging elk (Cervus elaphus manitobensis) were captured by net gun in Riding Mountain National Park (Manitoba, Canada) during February 2002 and were administered either saline (control) or xylazine by the intranasal route, to evaluate the efficacy and benefit of intranasal xylazine to reduce stress. Elk that received xylazine had higher relaxation scores than control elk, and the onset of sedation occurred quickly, often <1 min. Serum concentrations of cortisol, creatine kinase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase were lower in elk that received xylazine than in control elk. At the conclusion of handling, the intravenous administration of yohimbine quickly abolished the sedative effect of xylazine, which allowed elk to be released without concern of physical injury due to ataxia. The intranasal administration of xylazine can be used to reduce stress in wild animals under situations where they are being handled while physically restrained.     

Domestication affects the structure,development and stability of biobehavioural profiles

Domestication is an evolutionary process during which the biobehavioural profile (comprising e.g. social and emotional behaviour, cognitive abilities, as well as hormonal stress responses) is substantially reshaped. Using a comparative approach, and focusing mainly on the domestic and wild guinea pig, an established model system for the study of domestication, we review (a) how wild and domestic animals of the same species differ in behaviour, emotion, cognition, and hormonal stress responses, (b) during which phases of life differences in biobehavioural profiles emerge and (c) whether or not animal personalities exist in both the wild and domestic form. Concerning (a), typical changes with domestication include increased courtship, sociopositive and maternal behaviours as well as decreased aggression and attentive behaviour. In addition, domestic animals display more anxiety-like and less risk-taking and exploratory behaviour than the wild form and they show distinctly lower endocrine stress responsiveness. There are no indications, however, that domestic animals have diminished cognitive abilities relative to the wild form. The different biobehavioural profiles of the wild and domestic animals can be regarded as adaptations to the different environmental conditions under which they live, i.e., the natural habitat and artificial man-made housing conditions, respectively. Concerning (b), the comparison of infantile, adolescent and adult wild and domestic guinea pigs shows that the typical biobehavioural profile of the domestic form is already present during early phases of life, that is, during early adolescence and weaning. Thus, differences between the domestic and the wild form can be attributed to genetic alterations resulting from artificial selection, and likely to environmental influences during the pre- and perinatal phase. Interestingly, the frequency of play behaviour does not differ between the domestic and wild form early in life, but is significantly higher in domesticated guinea pigs at later ages. Concerning (c), there is some evidence that personalities occur in both wild and domestic animals. However, there may be differences in which behavioural domains – social and sexual behaviour, emotionality, stress-responsiveness – are consistent over time. These differences are probably due to changing selection pressures during domestication.     

Effects of capture,shearing, and release on the ecology and behavior of wild vicuñas

The goals of sustainable use of wildlife include minimizing long term deleterious impacts of management. We evaluated the ethoecological and demographic responses of wild vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna) to capture, shearing, and release in northern Argentina, as well as effects on behavior, by comparing captured and shorn versus non-captured animals for 2 yr after capture events. We observed subtle and short-term changes in the movement behavior of individuals, likely due to thermal and behavioral stress following capture. We did not observe changes in survival and birth rates, social organization, or distribution of animals following capture. Therefore, we concluded that the capture techniques used resulted in low impacts on the wild vicuña population. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.     

Is a wild mammal kept and reared in captivity still a wild animal?

This study compared domestic guinea pigs (Cavia aperea f. porcellus; DGP) and two different populations of the wild cavy (Cavia aperea), its ancestor, to examine whether rearing of wild mammals in captivity affects their behavior and physiological stress responses. One population of wild cavies consisted of wild-trapped animals and their first laboratory-reared offspring (WGP-1). The animals of the other population were reared in captivity for about 30 generations (WGP-30). The spontaneous behavior of each of six groups of WGP-1 and WGP-30 and nine groups of DGP, each consisting of one adult male and two adult females, was analyzed quantitatively. Blood samples of the males were taken to determine cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine concentrations. In addition, the exploratory behavior of 60-day-old male WGP-1, WGP-30, and DGP was investigated in an exploration apparatus. The domesticated animals displayed significantly less aggression, but significantly more sociopositive and male courtship behavior than their wild ancestors. In addition, DGP were much less attentive to their physical environment. Surprisingly, no behavioral difference was found between WGP-1 and WGP-30. Basal cortisol concentrations did not differ between wild and domestic guinea pigs. Catecholamine concentrations, however, as well as the challenge values of cortisol, were distinctly reduced in the DGP. WGP-1 and WGP-30 did not differ with respect to their endocrine stress responses. In the exploration apparatus both forms of wild cavies were much more explorative than the domestic animals. These data suggest that the long-term breeding and rearing of wild guinea pigs in captivity do not result in significant changes in behavior and hormonal stress responses. It appears to take much longer periods of time and artificial selection by humans to bring about characters of domestication in wild animals.     

Sex‐Specific Associations Between Nest Defence,Exploration and Breathing Rate in Breeding Pied Flycatchers

Correlations between behavioural traits constrain animals to a limited range of behavioural choices and set a limit to the available variation in behavioural phenotype of a population. These constraints are especially important during stressful situations, potentially limiting the ability to cope with stress appropriately. As yet, very little consideration has been given to a possible role for sexual selection in maintaining differences in behavioural stability within individuals: sex‐specific differences in behavioural correlations have been seldom studied, especially in the wild. In this field study, we investigated associations between neophobia (latency to enter nest in the presence of a novel object), nest defence (response to a model predator) and breathing rate in response to handling in breeding pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca). We did not find any significant difference in antipredator responses between males and females, which indicates low sexual conflict over parental care in the pied flycatcher. However, females were more neophobic than males, while males and females did not differ in their breathing rates. Further, our study demonstrated a strong positive correlation between nest defence behaviour and neophobia in male, but not in female pied flycatchers. Males that defended their nest more had lower breathing rate and higher latency to resume nestling feeding after encountering a predator decoy than males that mobbed less intensely. We found only weak evidence that nest partners might affect each other's behaviour in these contexts.     

Physiological and behavioral indices of short-term stress in wild vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna) in Jujuy Province,Argentina

The management of wild vicuñas can trigger a stress response that may compromise welfare. In Santa Catalina, Jujuy Province, Argentina, indices of short-term stress associated with capture, handling, and shearing were studied in 105 wild vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna). The study included 2 groups (n = 59 and n = 46) of wild vicuñas captured in 2 consecutive days. Independent variables analyzed included sex, restraint time, and groups. Cortisol, creatine kinase, glucose, white blood cells, temperature, heart rate, and respiratory frequency were higher than published values. Respiratory rate increased during handling and correlated with holding time and group size, while heart rate decreased. Packed cell volume was higher in females. Cortisol concentrations differed between restraint groups and sex and inversely correlated with agonistic behavior. The most common behavior was increased vigilance. Sternal recumbency increased over holding time. During handling procedures, frequency of sudden movements like kicking and attempts to stand increased as restraint time increased. Females vocalized more than males. In conclusion, the methods used triggered measurable changes suggestive of short-term stress that appeared to be physiologically tolerated by the vicuñas.