Adrenal and metabolic hormones demonstrate risk–reward trade-offs for African elephants foraging in human-dominated landscapes

Author:

Oduor Sandy12ORCID,Gichuki Nathaniel N1,Brown Janine L3,Parker Jenna4ORCID,Kimata Dennis1,Murray Suzan5,Goldenberg Shifra Z4,Schutgens Maurice6,Wittemyer George78

Affiliation:

1. University of Nairobi Department of Biology, , PO Box 30197-00100, Nairobi , Kenya

2. Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Department of Reproductive Biology, , Front Royal, VA 22630 , USA

3. Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Center for Species Survival, , Front Royal, VA 22630 , USA

4. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Conservation Science and Wildlife Health, , San Diego, CA 92027 , USA

5. Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Global Health Program, , Washington, DC , USA

6. Space for Giants Conservation Science Department, , PO Box 174-10400, Nanyuki , Kenya

7. Colorado State University Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, , Fort Collins, CO , USA

8. Save the Elephants , P. O. Box, 54667 - 00200, Nairobi , Kenya

Abstract

Abstract A key driver of the African savannah elephant population decline is the loss of habitat and associated human–elephant conflict. Elephant physiological responses to these pressures, however, are largely unknown. To address this knowledge gap, we evaluated faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) concentrations as an indicator of adrenal activity and faecal thyroid metabolite (fT3) concentrations as an indicator of metabolic activity in relation to land use, livestock density, and human landscape modification, while controlling for the effects of seasonality and primary productivity (measured using the normalized difference vegetation index). Our best-fit model found that fGCM concentrations to be elevated during the dry season, in areas with higher human modification index values, and those with more agropastoral activities and livestock. There was also a negative relationship between primary productivity and fGCM concentrations. We found fT3 concentrations to be higher during the wet season, in agropastoral landscapes, in locations with higher human activity, and in areas with no livestock. This study highlights how elephants balance nutritional rewards and risks in foraging decisions when using human-dominated landscapes, results that can serve to better interpret elephant behaviour at the human–wildlife interface and contribute to more insightful conservation strategies.

Funder

Rufford Small

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)

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