Download or read book The Physiological Condition of Orphaned African Elephants Loxodonta Africana written by Jenna Marie Parker and published by . This book was released on 2021 with total page 213 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Prolonged maternal care is an energetically expensive behavior, yet it has evolved in many mammal species. This is presumably because of its benefits to offspring even after they are weaned, including defense again aggression from other individuals of the same species, protection from predation, provisioning of food, transfer of knowledge, and inherited rank for offspring of high-ranking individuals. We know these benefits matter because studies have shown that weaned orphans of some long-lived mammal species survive less than weaned nonorphans. However, we lack understanding of the physiological mechanisms leading to lowered survival for weaned orphans who are no longer dependent on their mother’s milk. Understanding physiological benefits of prolonged maternal care is valuable to understanding how it evolved, and, as some have speculated prolonged parental care was a cornerstone in the evolution of sociality, to further understanding sociality. Moreover, many long-lived species for which prolonged maternal care is fundamental are also of conservation concern, some due to practices like poaching that kill adults and leave orphans behind. Yet we were previously unaware of how orphan deaths impact population growth. African elephants (Loxodonta africana) are a highly social species, and the mother-calf bond is exceptionally important to elephant society. They are also endangered due to habitat loss and poaching, the latter of which removes adults from populations for their ivory tusks. My colleagues and I investigated the physiological consequences of losing prolonged maternal care by comparing the physiology and survival of individually known, wild African elephant orphans with those of their nonorphan peers in the Samburu and Buffalo Springs National Reserves of Kenya. We longitudinally collected dung samples to compare strongylid (gastrointestinal worm) fecal egg counts as a proxy for parasite loads and fecal glucocorticoid concentrations as a proxy for general stress. We also used 19 years of long-term demographic data to compare survival and the effect of orphaning on population growth. Chapter 1 reveals that we did not discover differences in strongylid infection between orphans and nonorphans, and surprisingly found evidence of lower strongylid infection in nonorphans who had left their natal family as compared to natal orphans and nonorphans. This may be due to social isolation; orphans who have left their family receive more aggression and are kept on the periphery of popular social hubs that contain old dung infected with strongylid larvae. In support of this idea, elephants who received more aggression as measured by behavioral focal follows had fewer strongylid eggs in their dung. Further supporting the role of social behavior in determining strongylid infection of wild elephants, we counted more strongylid eggs in the dung samples of females, who are more often in the company of family groups, than males, who spend less time in the company of family groups and more time in areas less contaminated by old dung. Agreeing with findings in other species, younger elephants were more infected with strongylids than older elephants, likely because their immune systems are still developing. Finally, using GPS radio collar data, we determined that elephants spending more time within reserves have fewer strongylid eggs in their dung compared to elephants who spend less time in reserves. This could indicate that livestock grazing outside of reserves is altering soil content so it is more conducive to strongylid larval survival. Chapter 2 concerns orphan versus nonorphan survival and the effect of orphaning on population growth. We found that even weaned African elephant orphans survive less than their nonorphan peers. Moreover, with a robust sensitivity analysis based on long-term data, we discovered that orphaning substantively decreases population growth. This demonstrates that, on top of its direct effects, adult elephant death indirectly decreases population growth through orphaning. As environmental conditions can affect sensitivity, we reran our analysis twice more using only data from years when there was less poaching in the study system, then only data from years of more poaching. Population growth rate’s sensitivity to orphan survival increased for the analysis parameterized with data from years of more poaching, indicating orphan survival is more important for population growth as orphaning increases. We concluded orphaning should not be overlooked when quantifying the impacts of poaching, and population models characterizing systems with extensive parental care benefit from explicitly incorporating orphan stages. Finally, Chapter 3 provides foundational insight into orphaning’s impact on the stress response of a wild long-lived mammal. We found no difference in baseline glucocorticoid levels of orphan and nonorphan elephants two or more years after their mother’s death. We did, however, find lower average levels in orphans who had left their natal family versus nonorphans and natal orphans. We also found lower glucocorticoid levels in individuals with more adult females and age mates in their core group. The observed lower levels in non-natal orphans were contrary to our predictions and may indicate downregulated glucocorticoid secretion following a period of sustained stress without familial support, which could be adaptive and/or negatively impact fitness. We do not think the lower glucocorticoids in non-natal orphans relate to their lower strongylid infection described in the first chapter, as strongylid egg counts did not correlate with glucocorticoids. Our third chapter findings indicate resilience in surviving orphans who remain with their family following their mother’s death, which is hopeful for the recovery of elephant populations that have been moderately poached. Although social context influenced glucocorticoid levels, they correlated most with ecological conditions. Elephants had lower levels when resources were plentiful, and higher levels during seasonal changes when resources were unevenly distributed. We therefore highlight that social context, and most of all ecological conditions, impact the stress response of wild African elephants. My dissertation indicates that maternal care is important not only to individual survival, but also to larger population dynamics. Therefore, orphaning matters for conserving African elephants and potentially other species with prolonged maternal care. Yet our findings are hopeful for orphans who manage to survive, as only elephant orphans without family showed altered physiology as compared to nonorphans. Concerning parasites, the changes we observed in non-natal orphans were advantageous because they were less infected with strongylids. Regarding the stress response, we found lower glucocorticoid levels in non-natal orphans without the support of family, which could affect their fitness and encourages similar research in heavily poached populations with more non-natal orphans. Broadly, my dissertation reveals that social behavior and social context affect the physiology of orphans, and that prolonged maternal care affects population growth.

Download or read book Behavioural ecology of Orphan African Elephants Loxodonta Africana in Tsavo East National Park Kenya written by Barbara L. McKnight and published by . This book was released on 1992 with total page 121 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Endocrine Physical and Behavioural Correlates of Musth in African Elephants Loxodonta Africana written by and published by Cuvillier Verlag. This book was released on 2004 with total page 107 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Behaviour and Stress in Three Female African Elephants Loxodonta Africana Under Different Housing Conditions at Western Plains Zoo written by Christine Watts and published by . This book was released on 2002 with total page 358 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Investigating Body Condition and Metabolic Hormones in Relationship to Reproductive Cyclicity in Zoo Female African Elephants Loxodonta Africana written by Kari Ann Morfeld and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page 97 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: African elephants (Loxodonta africana) in U.S. zoos generally appear heavier than wild counterparts, and there are claims that obesity-related health and reproductive problems may be contributing to population non-sustainability. A previous study found a high body mass index (BMI) was positively correlated with ovarian inactivity in African elephants, suggesting reproductive problems may be caused in part by metabolic derangements associated with excessive body weight. To determine whether obesity and related metabolic conditions are a problem in zoo-managed African elephants, body condition, insulin, glucose, and leptin levels, and the glucose-to-insulin ratio (G:I) were compared between breeding-aged cycling (n=23) and non-cycling (n=23) females. Body condition scoring (BCS) is the assessment of subcutaneous fat stores based on visual or tactile evaluation of muscle tone and key skeletal elements, and provides an immediate appraisal of the degree of fatness of an individual. An objective of this study was to develop a visual BCS index for female African elephants and validate it using ultrasound measures of subcutaneous fat. To develop the index, standardized photographs were collected from zoo (n=50) and free-ranging (n=57) female African elephants to identify key body regions and anatomical sites, which were used to visually assess body fat deposition patterns. The visual BCS method consisted of a list of body regions and the physical criteria used for obtaining an overall score on a 5-point scale, with 1 representing the lowest and 5 representing the highest levels of body fat. Significant correlations were found between the visual scores and ultrasound measures of subcutaneous fat thickness at all anatomical sites, but were highest in the backbone (r = 0.748, P

Download or read book The Amboseli Elephants written by Cynthia J. Moss and published by University of Chicago Press. This book was released on 2011-03-15 with total page 401 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Elephants have fascinated humans for millennia. Aristotle wrote of them with awe and Hannibal used them in warfare. This book is the summation of what's been learned from the Amboseli Elephant Research Project (AERP) - the longest continuously running elephant research project in the world.

Download or read book Analyses of Diet and Blood Nutrient Concentrations in African Elephants Loxodonta Africana Housed at the NC Zoo written by Jordan Nicole Wood and published by . This book was released on 2018 with total page 186 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Physiological Responses of African Elephant Loxodonta Africana Immobilised with a Thiafentanil azaperone Combination written by Ngwako David Chelopo and published by . This book was released on 2020 with total page 44 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Predictors of Testosterone in Zoo Managed African Elephants Loxodonta Africana written by Kaitlyn Campbell and published by . This book was released on 2020 with total page 112 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Reproductive complications for both male and female zoo-managed African elephants (Loxodonta Africana) contribute to the rapidly declining population. With respect to captive bull elephants, few studies have explored the potential physiological, physical, social and environmental zoo factors that influence bull fertility, and in particular, androgen production. Testosterone is the steroid hormone essential for sexual maturation and inadequate concentrations can be detrimental for spermatogenesis. Testosterone, cortisol, leptin, glucose, insulin and triglycerides were analyzed from weekly fecal and blood serum samples taken over the course of six months in six zoo-managed African elephant bulls (10-19 years of age). These hormone levels were compared to data about the weekly social and environmental factors, daily musth condition and body condition scores (BCS). Several factors significantly influenced testosterone concentrations; however, glucose-to-insulin ratio was the only physiological biomarker found to be positively associated with testosterone. Predictive physical factors included Musth Score and Moderate Exercise. Bulls with body condition scores (BCS) signifying overweight (BCS 4) had lower testosterone (36.6 ± 1.6 ng/g Fecal Extraction) than bulls with healthy body conditions scores (BCS 3; 51.2 ± 4.9 ng/g FE). Testosterone concentrations increased for every 1 hour increase in Total Contact Day (1.7 ng/g FE), Female Interaction Day (1.3 ng/g FE), Indirect Contact Day (2.67 ng/g FE) and Indirect Contact Night (1.01 ng/g FE). For every 1 hour increase in Total No Contact, testosterone decreased by 0.45 ng/g FE. With each 1% increase in time spent indoors, elephants had a 37 ng/g FE decrease in testosterone, whereas, testosterone increased by 48.5 ng/g FE and 58.1 ng/g FE with each 1% increase in time spent outdoors or in a mixed space. Each additional daily browse opportunity increased testosterone by approximately 7ng/g FE. Emphasis should be placed on optimizing these markers of testosterone production in zoo environments to promote bull reproductive health.

Download or read book Talonrakentamisen ohjaus ja johto ongelmat written by and published by . This book was released on 1969 with total page 218 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Patterns of Chemosensory Behavior in a Closed Population of Wild African Elephants Loxodonta Africana written by Russell William Blogg and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 108 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Author's abstract: Chemosensory behaviors are used by many mammalian species to assess chemical signals in the environment. These chemical signals may contain important information about reproductive state, identity, status, or location of conspecifics. Elephants are a long-lived species and males reproduce at a much later age than females, which provides a protracted developmental period for males. This study examined chemosensory behaviors in a population of African elephants living in Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa and demonstrated that patterns emerge as elephants develop and approach sexual maturity. Older pubescent males (15-19 year olds) performed more chemosensory behaviors than younger pubescent males (10-14 year olds) and both groups of pubescent females, which supported the hypothesis that there would be an increase of these behaviors as males approach sexual maturity and the age of their first musth. It is clear that developing pubescent male elephants are paying attention to chemical signals in their environment, many of which are directly related to female reproductive condition. Increased chemosensory behavior by pubescent males observed in this study highlights the importance of chemical communication in elephants.

Download or read book The Behavioral Effects of Feeding Enrichment on a Zoo housed Herd of African Elephants Loxodonta Africana written by Caroline Marie Driscoll and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page 290 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "A comprehensive study on the behavioral effects of feeding enrichment was conducted on six African elephants housed at the North Carolina Zoological Park in Asheboro, NC. The herd is comprised of two adult males, three adult females, and one subadult female. The study was conducted over a 10-month period and consisted of focal sample observations across three conditions. Observations were recorded during the baseline condition (June to September) and continued through the introduction of feeding enrichment. Behavioral data were also collected when enrichment items were present but food presentation followed the historical husbandry routine, known as the experimental control (October to April). Data were collected on ten behaviors and analyzed to test for significant changes in the behaviors as a group, between the sexes, and for individual animals. The patterns that emerged from analysis for the herd as a whole did not necessarily apply to the analyses based on sex or for a given individual. In addition, individual elephants varied in the longevity of their behavioral changes to the feeding enrichment. These results provide evidence for the efficacy of feeding enrichment in general as well as for unique personalities and reactions to such enrichment. Furthermore, the findings of this study should encourage zoos to employ individual monitoring to enhance each elephant's well-being"--Abstract, leaf ii.

Download or read book Elephants on the Edge written by G. A. Bradshaw and published by Yale University Press. This book was released on 2009-10-06 with total page 353 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “At times sad and at times heartwarming . . . Helps us to understand not only elephants, but all animals, including ourselves” (Peter Singer, author of Animal Liberation). Drawing on accounts from India to Africa and California to Tennessee, and on research in neuroscience, psychology, and animal behavior, G. A. Bradshaw explores the minds, emotions, and lives of elephants. Wars, starvation, mass culls, poaching, and habitat loss have reduced elephant numbers from more than ten million to a few hundred thousand, leaving orphans bereft of the elders who would normally mentor them. As a consequence, traumatized elephants have become aggressive against people, other animals, and even one another; their behavior is comparable to that of humans who have experienced genocide, other types of violence, and social collapse. By exploring the elephant mind and experience in the wild and in captivity, Bradshaw bears witness to the breakdown of ancient elephant cultures. But, she reminds us, all is not lost. People are working to save elephants by rescuing orphaned infants and rehabilitating adult zoo and circus elephants, using the same principles psychologists apply in treating humans who have survived trauma. Bradshaw urges us to support these and other models of elephant recovery and to solve pressing social and environmental crises affecting all animals—humans included. “This book opens the door into the soul of the elephant. It will really make you think about our relationship with other animals.” —Temple Grandin, author of Animals in Translation

Download or read book An Elephant in the Room written by Lisa F. Kane and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page 315 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Mammalian Social Learning written by Hilary O. Box and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 1999-10-07 with total page 238 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Social learning commonly refers to the social transfer of information and skill among individuals. It encompasses a wide range of behaviours that include where and how to obtain food, how to interact with members of one's own social group, and to identify and respond appropriately to predators. The behaviour of experienced individuals provides natural sources of information, by which inexperienced individuals may learn about the opportunities and hazards of their environment, and develop and modify their own behaviour as a result. A wide diversity of species is discussed in this book, some of which have never been discussed in this context before, and particular reference is made to their natural life strategies. Social learning in humans is also considered by comparison with other mammals, especially in their technological and craft traditions. Moreover, a discussion is included of the social learning abilities of prehistoric hominids.

Download or read book Sensitivity Analysis Matrix Methods in Demography and Ecology written by Hal Caswell and published by Springer. This book was released on 2019-04-02 with total page 308 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This open access book shows how to use sensitivity analysis in demography. It presents new methods for individuals, cohorts, and populations, with applications to humans, other animals, and plants. The analyses are based on matrix formulations of age-classified, stage-classified, and multistate population models. Methods are presented for linear and nonlinear, deterministic and stochastic, and time-invariant and time-varying cases. Readers will discover results on the sensitivity of statistics of longevity, life disparity, occupancy times, the net reproductive rate, and statistics of Markov chain models in demography. They will also see applications of sensitivity analysis to population growth rates, stable population structures, reproductive value, equilibria under immigration and nonlinearity, and population cycles. Individual stochasticity is a theme throughout, with a focus that goes beyond expected values to include variances in demographic outcomes. The calculations are easily and accurately implemented in matrix-oriented programming languages such as Matlab or R. Sensitivity analysis will help readers create models to predict the effect of future changes, to evaluate policy effects, and to identify possible evolutionary responses to the environment. Complete with many examples of the application, the book will be of interest to researchers and graduate students in human demography and population biology. The material will also appeal to those in mathematical biology and applied mathematics.

Download or read book African Elephant Status Report 2007 written by J. J. Blanc and published by IUCN. This book was released on 2007 with total page 284 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: