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Ecology, management and conservation in natural and modified habitats
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Effects of culling on vigilance behaviour and endogenous stress response of female fallow deer

I. Pecorella A B E F , F. Ferretti A C D , A. Sforzi A and E. Macchi B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Maremma Natural History Museum, Strada Corsini 4, 58100, Grosseto, Italy.

B Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Via Leonardo da Vinci 44, 10095 Grugliasco, TO, Italy.

C Research Unit of Behavioural Ecology, Ethology and Wildlife Management, Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy.

D Maremma Regional Park Agency, Via del Bersagliere 7/9, 58100, Alberese, Grosseto, Italy.

E Present address: Via Giovanni Lerario 86, 57025, Piombino, Italy.

F Corresponding author. Email: ilix86@hotmail.it

Wildlife Research 43(3) 189-196 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR15118
Submitted: 8 June 2015  Accepted: 23 February 2016   Published: 6 May 2016

Abstract

Context: Human activities can induce behavioural and stress responses in wild animals. Information is scarce on the effects of culling on anti-predator behaviour and endogenous stress response of wild ungulates.

Aims: In a Mediterranean area, we evaluated the effects of culling on vigilance, foraging and endogenous stress response of female fallow deer (Dama dama).

Methods: Effects of culling were evaluated through behavioural observations and hormone analyses of faecal samples.

Key results: In an area where culling occurred (C), individuals showed significantly greater vigilance rates and foraged closer to wood than in an area with no culling (NC). In C, 24 h after culling, faecal cortisol concentrations were greater than those recorded in NC, but they decreased significantly to values comparable to (48 h post-shot) and lower than (72 h post-shot) those observed in NC.

Conclusions: Most likely, culling determined behavioural responses in female fallow deer, but did not trigger long-term physiological effects.

Implications: Increased anti-predator behaviour may complicate the implementation of long-term culling programs.

Additional keywords: alertness, anti-predator behaviour, faecal cortisol, group size effect, ungulates.


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