title: LEUKOCYTE COPING CAPACITY AS A TOOL TO ASSESS CAPTURE- AND HANDLING-INDUCED STRESS IN SCANDINAVIAN BROWN BEARS (URSUS ARCTOS).
abstract: Brown bears (Ursus arctos) are often captured and handled for research and management purposes. Although the techniques used are potentially stressful for the animals and might have detrimental and long-lasting consequences, it is difficult to assess their physiological impact. Here we report the use of the leukocyte coping capacity (LCC) technique to quantify the acute stress of capture and handling in brown bears in Scandinavia. In April and May 2012 and 2013, we collected venous blood samples and recorded a range of physiological variables to evaluate the effects of capture and the added impact of surgical implantation or removal of transmitters and sensors. We studied 24 brown bears, including 19 that had abdominal surgery. We found 1) LCC values following capture were lower in solitary bears than in bears in family groups suggesting capture caused relatively more stress in solitary bears, 2) ability to cope with handling stress was better (greater LCC values) in bears with good body condition, and 3) LCC values did not appear to be influenced by surgery. Although further evaluation of this technique is required, our preliminary results support the use of the LCC technique as a quantitative measure of stress.
authors: 1  Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Hedmark University College, Campus Evenstad, NO-2418 Elverum, Norway.
authors: Núria Fandos
authors: NF
authors: Esteruelas
authors: 2  Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine, Savoyenstrasse 1, A-1160 Vienna, Austria.
authors: Nikolaus
authors: N
authors: Huber
authors: 1  Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Hedmark University College, Campus Evenstad, NO-2418 Elverum, Norway.
authors: Alina L
authors: AL
authors: Evans
authors: 3  Department of Environmental and Health Studies, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Telemark University College, PO Box 203, NO-3901 Porsgrunn, Norway.|4  Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, Institute for Wildlife Biology and Game Management, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Gregor Mendel St. 33, A-1180 Vienna, Austria.
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Zedrosser
authors: 5  Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Dr., SK S7N 5B4 Saskatoon, Canada.
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: Cattet
authors: 6  Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana-CSIC, Calle Américo Vespucio s/n, Isla de la Cartuja, 41092, Seville, Spain.
authors: Francisco
authors: F
authors: Palomares
authors: 1  Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Hedmark University College, Campus Evenstad, NO-2418 Elverum, Norway.
authors: Martine
authors: M
authors: Angel
authors: 7  Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, PO Box 5003, NO-1432 Ås, Norway.|8  Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, PO Box 5685 Sluppen, NO-7485 Trondheim, Norway.
authors: Jon E
authors: JE
authors: Swenson
authors: 1  Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Hedmark University College, Campus Evenstad, NO-2418 Elverum, Norway.|8  Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, PO Box 5685 Sluppen, NO-7485 Trondheim, Norway.|9  Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skogsmarksgränd St., SE-901 83 Umeå, Sweden.
authors: Jon M
authors: JM
authors: Arnemo
mesh_terms: D000777:Anesthetics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001831:Body Temperature; D005260:Female; D006234:Handling, Psychological; D006339:Heart Rate; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D056152:Respiratory Rate; D012537:Scandinavian and Nordic Countries; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology; D001503:Ursidae / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D000777:Anesthetics; D001786:Blood Glucose; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Animal welfare; Ursus arctos; brown bear; capture; chemical immobilization; leukocyte coping capacity; stress; surgery