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

Abstract

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.

Video Validation of Tri-Axial Accelerometer for Monitoring Zoo-Housed Tamandua tetradactyla Activity Patterns in Response to Changes in Husbandry Conditions

“…They show mainly arboreal habits, although they also rest, feed and move in the ground [ 17 , 24 , 25 ]. In captivity, similar observations were made in previous studies using infrared cameras [ 26 , 27 ]. Considering that behavioural patterns are adaptive responses determined by individual intrinsic characteristics (e.g., physiology and behaviour), as well as external factors, validating the accelerometer will allow to us to expand our knowledge on T. tetradactyla behaviour.…”

Review of the Effects of Enclosure Complexity and Design on the Behaviour and Physiology of Zoo Animals

“…Daily, seasonal, or annual variations in the complexity of the environment do not mean bad situations for captive animals, as these variations will stimulate different behavioural and physiological states [ 96 , 97 , 98 ]. However, these changes can mean a decrease in animal welfare if caregivers do not offer the animals the possibility of choice.…”

In Absentia—Can a Lack of Behaviour Be a Useful Welfare Indicator? An Application to the Captive Management of Livingstone’s Fruit Bats, Pteropus livingstonii

“…Non-invasive welfare assessment tools are becoming increasingly popular as part of the routine management of captive animals. More traditional methods of welfare assessment involving handling or capture can result in short-term modifications in behaviour and physiology; these can result in long-term implications for individual welfare and physical health [1]. Behavioural indicators can be used as reliable non-invasive measures that provide detailed information on animals' welfare states, especially for poorly studied or endangered species that are routinely managed in captive environments [2,3].…”

“…Behavioural indicators can be used as reliable non-invasive measures that provide detailed information on animals' welfare states, especially for poorly studied or endangered species that are routinely managed in captive environments [2,3]. While the assessment of an animal's welfare should be approached holistically by making use of a variety of welfare parameters [1,4], the application of behavioural indicators is often an integral component.…”