Relationships between patterns of Fecal corticoid excretion and behavior, reproduction, and environmental factors in captive black (Diceros bicornis) and white (Ceratotherium simum) rhinoceros
Abstract
Mortality is high in zoo-housed black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis), and the reproductive rates of captive white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) are unsustainably low. To determine the possible role of stress in the causation of these problems, we analyzed weekly fecal samples collected for 1 year from black (10 males and 16 females) and white (six males and 13 females) rhinoceroses at 16 zoos for corticoid metabolite concentrations. Fecal corticoid profiles were examined in relation to behavior as rated by keepers in a questionnaire, luteal phase ovarian cycles of females (Brown et al., 2001), and socioenvironmental factors. We compared individual fecal corticoid profiles by examining hormone means and variability (i.e., standard deviation (SD) and coefficient of variation (CV)). For the black rhinos, higher mean corticoid concentrations were found at zoos where rhinos were maintained in enclosures that were exposed to the public around a greater portion of the perimeter. Higher variability in corticoid excretion was correlated with higher rates of fighting between breeding partners and higher institutional mortality rates. Black rhino pairs that were kept separated exhibited lower corticoid variability and less fighting activity when they were introduced during female estrous periods compared to pairs that were kept together every day. For white rhinos, significantly lower mean corticoids were found for individuals that rated higher on “friendliness to keeper.” Higher cort…
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Black rhinos had higher mean faecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations at zoos where rhinos were housed in enclosures that were exposed to the public around a greater proportion of the perimeter.
“For example, Carlstead and Brown [70] found that black rhinos had higher mean faecal GC metabolite concentrations at zoos where rhinos were housed in enclosures that were exposed to the public around a greater proportion of the perimeter.”
From The visitor effect on zoo animals: implications and opportunities for zoo animal welfare (2019) · cites this paper as [70]
Faecal sampling offers the advantage of representing the average glucocorticoid metabolite concentration output over hours or days and represents pooled quantities of glucocorticoid secretion from the adrenal medulla, dampening pulsatile effects.
“This technique offers the advantage of representing the average GC metabolite concentration output over hours or days [69] and, therefore, represents pooled quantities of GC secretion from the adrenal medulla (i.e., baseline plasma GC), dampening pulsatile effects [67,70].”
From The visitor effect on zoo animals: implications and opportunities for zoo animal welfare (2019) · cites this paper as [70]
Carlstead and Brown found that black rhinos had higher mean GC concentrations at zoos when they were maintained in enclosures that had a greater portion of the perimeter exposed to visitors.
“Carlstead and Brown [70] found that black rhinos had higher mean GC concentrations at zoos when they were maintained in enclosures that had a greater portion of the perimeter exposed to visitors.”
From The visitor effect on zoo animals: implications and opportunities for zoo animal welfare (2019) · cites this paper as [70]
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“For example, Carlstead and Brown [70] found that black rhinos had higher mean faecal GC metabolite concentrations at zoos where rhinos were housed in enclosures that were exposed to the public around a greater proportion of the perimeter.”
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- Authors
- Carlstead, K., & Brown, J. L.
- Affiliations
- Smithsonian Institution (US)
- Corresponding author
- Carlstead, Kathy
- ORCID
- Brown, Janine L.
- Venue
- Zoo Biology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2005
- Volume
- 24
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 215-232
- ISSN
- 0733-3188 (ISSN-L)
- 1098-2361
- OpenAlex
- W2001649737
- Cited by
- 176
- References
- 4
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 8
- FWCI
- 9.89
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Zoo Biology (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Cleveland Zoological Society
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Keywords
- chronic stress, black rhinoceros, white rhinoceros, zoo animal welfare, social stressors, zoos
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