STRESS LEVELS IN CAPTURED RIVER OTTERS (LONTRA CANADENSIS) DECREASED AFTER TRANSPORTATION TO REINTRODUCTION SITES.
J Zoo Wildl Med
; 47(4): 1057-1060, 2016 Dec.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-28080903
ABSTRACT
The level of stress that animals endure during capture, handling, transportation, and release processes is a major concern of animal reintroduction projects. Animals under chronic stress are more susceptible to disease and other deleterious issues that could reduce their survival in a new environment. Northern river otters ( Lontra canadensis ) have been reintroduced in 22 states in the United States and may be susceptible to developing chronic stress during the reintroduction process. We assessed stress levels in five river otters captured from wild populations in Washington, held in captivity for up to 21 days, and then transported to New Mexico for reintroduction. Glucocorticoid levels in fecal samples of all otters tested decreased from when they were held captive in Washington to the time of release. This outcome suggests that habituation to captivity before transport and release may serve to minimize the likelihood of an otter being released while experiencing a potentially burdensome level of stress.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Otters
/
Stress, Physiological
/
Glucocorticoids
Limits:
Animals
Country/Region as subject:
America do norte
Language:
En
Journal:
J Zoo Wildl Med
Journal subject:
MEDICINA VETERINARIA
Year:
2016
Document type:
Article