title: Gender, season and management affect fecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations in captive goral (Naemorhedus griseus) in Thailand.
abstract: Chinese goral (Naemorhedus griseus) are a threatened species in Thailand and the focus of captive breeding for possible reintroduction. However, little is known of their biology or what factors in the captive environment affect welfare. Our objective was to determine the impact of gender, season, and management on goral adrenal activity. We hypothesized that differences in fecal glucocorticoid concentrations would be related to animal density. Fecal samples were collected 3 days/week for 1 year from 63 individuals (n = 32 males, 31 females) at two facilities that house the majority of goral in Thailand: Omkoi Wildlife Sanctuary (Omkoi), an off-exhibit breeding center that houses goral in individual pens (16 pens; n = 8 males, 8 females) and in small family groups (8 pens; n = 8 males, 8 females); and the Chiang Mai Night Safari (NS), a zoo that maintains 31 goral (n = 17 males, 14 females) in one large pen. Glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations were higher in male than female goral at Omkoi throughout the year, and there was a seasonal effect on adrenal activity (p<0.05). Goral at Omkoi and NS were used to test the effect of animal density on fecal glucocorticoid excretion of goral housed in similar-sized enclosures. Overall, the highest levels were found at NS (n = 31 adults/pen; 27 m2 per animal) compared to Omkoi (n = 2 adults/pen; 400 m2 per animal) (p<0.05). Overall findings support our hypothesis that animal density and aspects of the captive environment impact adrenal steroid activity in captive goral. In addition, gender and season also had significant effects on glucocorticoid metabolite production. Potential stressors pertaining to the welfare of this species were identified, which will guide future efforts to improve management and create self-sustaining and healthy populations of this threatened species.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
authors.forename: Jaruwan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Khonmee
authors.affiliation: Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, United States of America.
authors.forename: Janine L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
authors.forename: Suvichai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rojanasthien
authors.affiliation: Chiang Mai Night Safari, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
authors.forename: Anurut
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aunsusin
authors.affiliation: Omkoi Wildlife Sanctuary, Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
authors.forename: Dissakul
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Thumasanukul
authors.affiliation: Omkoi Wildlife Sanctuary, Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
authors.forename: Adisorn
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kongphoemphun
authors.affiliation: Conservation Research and Education Division, Zoological Park Organization, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Boripat
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Siriaroonrat
authors.affiliation: Conservation Research and Education Division, Zoological Park Organization, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Wanlaya
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tipkantha
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
authors.forename: Veerasak
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Punyapornwithaya
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
authors.forename: Chatchote
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thitaram
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D055432:Metabolomics / Q000379:methods; D012418:Ruminants; D012621:Seasons; D013785:Thailand
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids