title: Effects of management strategies on glucocorticoids and behavior in Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis): translocation and operant conditioning.
abstract: 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 < 0.0001) concentrations for variable durations after translocation that lasted up to 9 weeks. Lastly, behavioral and adrenal responses of two females to operant conditioning to stand during transrectal ultrasound exams were monitored and rhinos differed in their mean and peak FGM concentrations. However, FGM were not different before versus during training or on pasture versus in the barn. One female exhibited more stereotypic behavior during training in the barn than on pasture (P < 0.05); although, stereotypies (1.73% of time) were relatively uncommon overall. In summary, individual variation exists in FGM both at baseline levels and in response to a stressor. In addition, while a transient rise in glucocorticoid activity post-translocation indicated that Indian rhinos have a physiological response to changes in their environment, minor alterations in daily routines using operant conditioning only resulted in minimal changes in behaviors and FGM.
authors: Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife, Cincinnati, Ohio; Zoo and Aquarium Leadership Concentration, Master's of Interdisciplinary Studies, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia.
authors: Jonnie M
authors: JM
authors: Capiro
authors: Monica A
authors: MA
authors: Stoops
authors: Elizabeth W
authors: EW
authors: Freeman
authors: Dave
authors: D
authors: Clawson
authors: Mandi W
authors: MW
authors: Schook
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D003216:Conditioning, Operant; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000097:blood*; D006234:Handling, Psychological; D008297:Male; D010527:Perissodactyla / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids
keywords: Indian rhinoceros; behavior; glucocorticoids; operant conditioning; stress; transport