A case study: fecal corticosteroid and behavior as indicators of welfare during relocation of an Asian elephant
Abstract
This study was a preliminary investigation of an enzyme immunoassay for measuring fecal glucocorticoid metabolites in a male Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) by investigating changes in behavior and cortisol metabolite excretion associated with a putative stressful event. The study collected fecal samples for 10 days prior to, and 10 days after, 24-hr transport and relocation of the elephant to a new herd. The study measured cortisol metabolites using 2 enzyme immunoassays indicating a 389% and 340% increase in cortisol metabolite excretion following relocation. Maximal cortisol metabolite excretion occurred 2 days after relocation and remained elevated during establishment of the new herd. Stereotypic behavior increased approximately 400% after relocation. The relocation disturbed sleep patterns, the elephant spent less time sleeping during the night, and the elephant slept standing up. These results provide preliminary evidence that noninvasive monitoring of fecal cortisol metabolites can be used to investigate adrenal activity in Asian elephants and may be a safe, practical, and accurate welfare indicator.
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Transportation and relocation, which often result in the dissolution of social bonds or require the formation of new ones, can also trigger increased glucocorticoid excretion in elephants.
“Transportation and relocation, which often result in the dissolution of social bonds or require the formation of new ones, can also trigger increased glucocorticoid excretion in elephants [77,78].”
From Socializing a group of male Asian elephants in a semi-captive facility in Lao PDR (2025) · cites this paper as [77]
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- Authors
- Laws, N., Ganswindt, A., Heistermann, M., Harris, M., Harris, S., & Sherwin, C.
- Affiliations
- Royal Veterinary College (GB)
- German Primate Center (DE)
- University of Bristol (GB)
- Venue
- Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2007-09-17
- Volume
- 10
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 349-358
- ISSN
- 1088-8705 (ISSN-L)
- 1532-7604
- OpenAlex
- W2081982997
- Cited by
- 65
- References
- 22
- Citations by year
- 2025: 3 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 3.66
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Explore Bristol Research (publishedVersion)
- Nelson Mandela University Research Repository (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- International Fund for Animal Welfare
- Association of Zoos and Aquariums
- Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
- Royal Society
- Universities Federation for Animal Welfare
- Chester Zoo
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Equine › Veterinary Equine Medical Research
- Keywords
- Asian elephant, fecal glucocorticoid metabolites, cortisol, animal welfare indicators, relocation stress, transport stress, stereotypy, sleep patterns, non-invasive monitoring, adrenal function
- MeSH terms
- Adrenal Cortex Hormones, Animals, Animal Welfare, Behavior, Animal, Elephants, Feces, Male, Transportation
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