Rehabilitation method affects behavior, welfare, and adaptation potential for subsequent release of orphaned white rhinoceros

Autor:	Andre Ganswindt, Henk J. Bertschinger, María C. Fàbregas, Geoffrey T. Fosgate, Markus Hofmeyr, Leith C. R. Meyer
Rok vydání:	2020
Předmět:	0106 biological sciences Rehabilitation medicine.medical_treatment media_common.quotation_subject 05 social sciences Captivity Poaching Rhinoceros 010603 evolutionary biology 01 natural sciences Cohort medicine 0501 psychology and cognitive sciences Animal Science and Zoology 050102 behavioral science & comparative psychology Adaptation Psychology Welfare Ecology Evolution Behavior and Systematics media_common Wildlife rehabilitation Demography
Zdroj:	acta ethologica. 23:105-114
ISSN:	1437-9546 0873-9749
Popis:	Poaching is the primary threat to the survival of rhinoceros’ populations. One frequent consequence of poaching is the creation of orphan calves. If found, orphans are taken into captivity for rehabilitation and subsequent release. However, rehabilitation practices can influence their behavior and welfare, potentially compromising their post-release adaptation and survival. In this study, the effects of hands-off and hands-on rehabilitation methods on the behavior, welfare, and adaptation potential of orphaned white rhinoceros (Certatotherium simum simum) were compared. To achieve these aims, 12 behavioral, one physiological, and four physical indicators of welfare and adaptation potential were measured non-invasively on 25 orphaned rhino at two rehabilitation facilities in South Africa. Results indicated that although orphan welfare was not compromised under either rehabilitation method, the hands-off cohort showed fewer indicators of poor welfare and more indicators of good welfare. Regarding adaptation potential, hands-off rehabilitated rhino showed the species’ natural response to humans, and alert and defense behaviors were part of their behavioral repertoire. The hands-on cohort displayed fewer social interactions than the hands-off cohort, showed habituation to humans, and seldom expressed alert or defense behaviors, which could potentially compromise their survival and social integration after release. Post-release studies are required to confirm whether fitness is compromised in hands-on rehabilitated rhino. Until then, we suggest to minimize anthropogenic exposure during rehabilitation in order to maximize welfare and retain crucial behaviors for post-release adaptation and survival.
Databáze:	OpenAIRE
Externí odkaz:	https://explore.openaire.eu/search/publication?articleId=doi_________::b05d4a8280e5f72b96a6fc599a761334 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10211-020-00343-w Zobrazit plný text záznamu Plný text ve formátu PDF Plný text ve formátu HTML
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