Monitoring stress in captive giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca): behavioral and hormonal responses to ambient noise

Abstract

Anthropogenic noise may impact captive breeding programs for endangered species. We recorded ambient noise and monitored potential behavioral and hormonal indices of stress in two captive giant pandas for 4 years. Statistical analyses were conducted for each individual separately, which allowed us to generalize only to these two animals. These preliminary findings indicate that ambient noise can have long-lasting effects on stress indices. Days characterized by louder levels of noise were associated with increased locomotion, restless manipulation of the exit door of the enclosure, increased scratching and vocalizations indicative of agitation, and/or increased glucocorticoids excreted in urine. These general effects were modulated by several factors: 1) Brief loud noise evoked behavioral distress, but not pituitary-adrenal activation. More chronic, moderate-amplitude noise was associated with higher levels of glucocorticoids. 2) Some responses were frequency-dependent, with loud lowfrequency noise having the greatest impact. 3) Female reproductive condition interacted significantly with noise amplitude for all behavioral measures, with stronger effects for the loudest acute noises. The female appeared especially sensitive to noise during estrus and lactation, and less so during pregnancy/ pseudopregnancy and nonreproductive periods. Despite these statistical effects, we found no compelling evidence that these adjustments indicate substantive detrimental effects on well-being or reproduction. Nonetheless, careful monitoring of giant pandas and other captive-held species is advisable, especially during Grant sponsor: Alice C. Tyler Perpetual Trust.

Monitoring stress in captive and free-ranging African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) using faecal glucocorticoid metabolites

“…Among the factors that are thought to cause chronic stress in captive mammals, the evidence is strong for noise (Owen et al, 2004), social instability (Peel et al, 2005), on-exhibit display (Terio et al, 2004;Wielebnowski et al, 2002) and the reproductive status of females (Fanson et al, 2011). Pregnancy is energetically costly to females (Creel and Creel, 1991) so it is not surprising that FCM concentrations were higher in pregnant and, interestingly, pseudo-pregnant females, than in acyclic females, and our observations thus agree with those reported previously in other species (Kenagy and Place, 2000;Weingrill et al, 2004).…”

Toxoplasmosis Sistémica en un Canguro Rojo (Macropus rufus) Cautivo

“…Sin embargo, en fases crónicas los taquizoítos pueden transformarse en quistes tisulares conteniendo bradizoítos no inmunógenos y no estimulantes de la reacción inflamatoria (Frenkel & Escajadillo;Frenkel, 1985). Cuando se produce desintegración de la membrana quística que recubre estos bradizoítos se desencadena una reacción de hipersensibilidad inmunológica tipo IV que contribuye a la patogenia, pues causa necrosis tisular del tejido adyacente (Frenkel & Escajadillo;Owen et al, 2004). Mientras que los taquizoítos se multiplican rápidamente y destruyen las cé-lulas, los bradizoítos de multiplicación lenta coexisten con las células del hospedero por semanas incluso hasta años (Aker;Hoff & Davis, 1986).…”

Effects of anthropogenic noise on the behaviour, physiological traits and welfare of two animal models: wild mice (Mus musculus) and Eastern blue tongued lizard (Tiliqua scincoides)

“…In pandas, noise exposure increased urinary corticoids, locomotion, distress vocalizations and escape attempts (Owen, et al 2004). There are also reports of (Anthony, et al 1959) and pandas (Powell, et al 2006).…”

“…In panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), loud ambient noise increased agitation behavior and urinary cortisol, especially during oestrus and lactation (Owen, et al 2004). Also, mice exposed to 100 dB (A) of white noise (noise where all frequencies show the same intensity) for 6 weeks for 6 hours/day showed a decrease in testosterone levels (Ruffoli, et al 2006).…”

“…transportation noise has been extensively studied (see, for example, Barber, et al rats, sub-chronic noise exposure (4 h, 100 dB for 15 days) produces anxiety and 142 depressive behaviours evaluated through an elevated plus-maze (Naqvi, et al 2012); in 143 pandas, exposure to approximately 72 dB ambient noise is related to increased urinary 144 corticoids, locomotion, distress vocalizations and escape attempts (Owen, et al 2004 Based on the characteristics of mining noise described in the literature (Camargo,et al 229 2009, Nanda, et al 2009, Nanda, et al 2011, Pathak, et al 1999 behaviours for pairs of females were analysed as the means of the two animals per cage.…”