ASSESSMENT OF STRESS BY FAECAL CORTISOL ESTIMATION AND ENDOPARASITISM IN ELEPHANTS
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Date
2016-11
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SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA
Abstract
ABSTRACT :
A study was undertaken to assess the stress through faecal cortisol estimation and endoparasitic prevalence in four different categories of elephants viz. Temple (Kerala), zoos (Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park- Tirupathi, Indra Gandhi Zoological Park- Vishakapatnam and Nehru Zoological Park - Hyderabad), semi wild (elephant camp- Ramakuppam and Bannnaraghatta safari) and wild elephant (Seshachalam forest and Koundinya wild life sanctuary) in summer and winter seasons. A total of 80 dung samples were collected from all the categories of elephants constituting a sample of 10 from each category for each season and these samples were preserved in 80 per cent methanol and 10 per cent formalin for cortisol estimation and parasitic examination, respectively. The faecal cortisol was estimated by subjecting the sample to ELISA technique while, sedimentation and floatation method was used for the purpose of parasitic ova examination.
From the present findings the mean faecal cortislol concentration of temple, zoo, semi wild and wild elephants was observed as 9.04 ± 0.85 ng/g, 7.64 ± 0.46 ng/g, 6.82 ± 0.80 ng/g and 6.80 ± 0.36 ng/g in summer and 10.86 ± 0.70 ng/g, 7.11 ± 0.76 ng/g, 7.05 ± 0.59 ng/g and 7.78 ± 0.41 ng/g in winter season, respectively. It was observed that the faecal cortisol concentration was found to be highest in temple elephants (9.04 ± 0.85) and lowest in wild elephants (6.80 ± 0.36) during summer and in winter the faecal cortisol concentration was found to be highest in temple elephants (10.86 ± 0.7) and lowest in semiwild elephants (7.05 ± 0.59). The statistical analysis using paired ‘t’ test revealed no significant differences between elephants in summer and winter seasons in different habitats. The dung samples subjected to endoparasitic examination revealed the prevalence of strongyle, strongyloid and amphistome ovas. The level of endoparasitic infection in temple, zoo, semiwild and wild elephants was 40%, 30%, 30% and 30 %, respectively during summer where as in winter season, the extent of infection was 50%, 70%, 30% and 40%, respectively. It was further observed that strongyle infection was at higher rate in comparison to strongyloid and amphistome infection. In order to reduce/minimize cortisol level and endoparasite infection in elephants, managemental practices like availability of sufficient area for feeding, walking for longer distances, provision of wallowing tanks for bath, avoiding standing for longer duration on concreate floors, enrichment of the enclosure, restricting of visitors and reduction of noise and sound by vehicles is suggested in temple and zoo animals to minimize the cortisol level and reduce stress condition of the mega herbivores.
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