Habituation to Transport Helps Reducing Stress-Related Behavior in Donkeys During Loading

Management procedures affect behavioural and physiological stress responses of wild mammals under human care. According to the Reactive Scope Model, normal values are presumed to exist within predictive and reactive ranges. First, stress parameters of zoo-housed adult Tamandua tetradactyla were evaluated in winter and summer (29 days each), determining the level of behaviour and/or physiological parameters needed to respond to predictable environmental changes. Secondly, the effects of veterinary procedures and transportation were studied in both seasons. Non-invasive methods were applied, assessing behaviour through videos and adrenocortical activity by faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGMs). Lesser anteaters exhibited seasonality (summer > winter) in some behavioural parameters, such as nocturnal activities, as well as in the activity cycle (e.g., acrophase) and FGMs. A veterinary check elicited an increase in total activity (TA), natural behaviours and repetitive locomotion and affected the activity cycle, particularly in summer. Transport produced changes in TA, nocturnal and natural activity and some variables of the activity cycle, mostly during summer. Although the effects of routine management procedures were different from each other and presumably stressful, they elicited changes only at the behavioural level, which was greater during summer. The differences observed according to non-invasive methodologies highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in this context and suggest that it is unlikely that individual welfare was affected.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non-Invasive Assessment of the Seasonal Stress Response to Veterinary Procedures and Transportation of Zoo-Housed Lesser Anteater (Tamandua tetradactyla)

Eguizábal

Superina

Palme

et al. 2021

“…Simple measures can make equid safety during transportation easily achievable, ensure vehicles are fit for purpose with protective features such as padding, load to recommended stocking density, remove aggressive individuals, ensure drivers are competent to drive livestock and add bedding to soak up urine and reduce slipping [ 58 , 61 ]. Habituation to transportation is an ideal method for preparing livestock for transportation [ 33 , 62 ] but is likely widely overlooked by those under pressure to move livestock around for a living. The mules would have travelled in a vehicle sub-optimal for transportation of mules, more likely designed for other livestock such as buffalo, and was definitely overstocked; although there is no stipulation within Nepalese legislation regarding the transportation of mules, the legal requirement for buffalo transportation is a maximum of 15 animals [ 63 , 64 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Not All Who Wander Are Lost”: The Life Transitions and Associated Welfare of Pack Mules Walking the Trails in the Mountainous Gorkha Region, Nepal

Watson¹,

Kubasiewicz²,

Nye

et al. 2022

Equids in general experience transient lives where ownership may change multiple times, for working equids this can be more extreme where ownership changes are not only numerous but abrupt, and situations encountered prove difficult, diverse and tough for equids to adapt. In this study, we investigate the life cycle of pack mules in Nepal, investigating the challenges they face during their lives through to end of life. To gain insight into the lives of mules, we conducted semi-structured interviews and livelihood surveys with 27 key informants, gathering the perspectives of the people working with mules. Welfare assessments of the mules were undertaken via the Equid Assessment Research and Scoping tool (EARS) by a trained assessor. Mules had to adapt swiftly to changes in industry type, enduring long distance transportation in overloaded vehicles and across country borders with no checks for biosecurity or welfare. Mules had to show swift adaptation to their new environment, to respond to and learn new tasks via inhumanely administered training, using inappropriate techniques, delivered by owners lacking in understanding of mule behaviour and learning. Environmental conditions were often hard; the negotiation of difficult terrain and challenging weather conditions during monsoon and subsequent high-altitude working without acclimatisation likely pushed mules to their biological limits. This study investigates the lives of a population of mules in the mountains of Nepal, developing a better understanding of their needs and their ‘truth’ or ‘telos’ informing what measures will help them to thrive.

“…In general, habituating animals entails benefits for their welfare. For example, habituating donkey foals to, and training them for activities like loading and transport reduced the stress they exhibited [ 133 ]. In addition, adaptation to the presence of, and handling by people has been shown to have favorable results in production units [ 80 ].…”

Section: How Learning Influences Animal Welfarementioning

confidence: 99%

The Neurobiology of Behavior and Its Applicability for Animal Welfare: A Review

Coria-Ávila

Pfaus

Orihuela

et al. 2022

Understanding the foundations of the neurobiology of behavior and well-being can help us better achieve animal welfare. Behavior is the expression of several physiological, endocrine, motor and emotional responses that are coordinated by the central nervous system from the processing of internal and external stimuli. In mammals, seven basic emotional systems have been described that when activated by the right stimuli evoke positive or negative innate responses that evolved to facilitate biological fitness. This review describes the process of how those neurobiological systems can directly influence animal welfare. We also describe examples of the interaction between primary (innate) and secondary (learned) processes that influence behavior.