Determination of Endogenous Faecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites to Evaluate Stress Response in Wild Pigs Interfering with Agriculture Adjoining Forest Regions in Correlation with Conflict and Meteorological Factors - A Non Invasive Approach
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Date
2015
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Abstract
The study was carried out to assess the faecal cortisol concentration in wild pigs entering the agricultural fields
around the forest and in domestic pigs comprising of desi pigs and cross bred pigs, in order to arrive at the baseline
values pointing to stress factors. The adjoining areas of Mudumalai wildlife region, Sathyamangalam wildlife region
and Anamalai wildlife region of Tamil Nadu, India were included in this study programme. The documentation of the
quantifiable meteorological factors in the identified conflict areas was done.
The mean faecal cortisol concentration in the case of wild pigs that entered in the agricultural fields adjoining the
Mudumalai wildlife region, Sathyamangalam and Anamalai region were found using ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immuno
Sorbent Assay). The mean faecal cortisol concentration of desi pigs as well as cross bred pigs was also documented
to be used as primary and secondary control values. The occurrences of conflict were also classified as low, medium
and high based on the intensity.
Suitable management related measures were recommended pertaining to the findings observed in this study
like increased mean faecal cortisol concentration in wild pigs, comparative wild pig- human conflicts pertaining to the
variations in the meteorological factors of the areas were studied. The findings demonstrated that fecal glucocorticoid
assays provide an index of physiological stress in wild pigs and may prove useful in addressing conservation and
conflict issues.
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Keywords
Veterinary Science, Wildlife Science