Real-Time Physiological Responses of Red Deer to Translocations

To identify events or processes that may compromise the condition and welfare of wild or domesticated mammals during translocations (herding, pretransport confinement, loading, road transport, off-loading, posttransport confinement), red deer stags (Cervus elaphus) were outfitted with unique, remote blood-sampling and heart-rate devices and monitored in real time. Animals were translocated and monitored again on 2 further occasions (after 1-week recovery periods) to determine if red deer would habituate to such processes. Heart rates and levels of haematocrit and lactate rose during the initial herding and penning phase, and again during transitional events such as loading onto the transporter and, to a lesser extent, off-loading. Red deer may find these transitional events (that involve additional handling) more aversive than other parts of the process. A near linear, 3-fold increase in cortisol during the course of translocations suggested red deer became progressively stressed as time passed (sodium levels also increased, suggesting red deer became slightly dehydrated as well). In comparison, glucose and magnesium levels remained stable. The recorded changes are important because high adrenal activity is associated with an increase in an animal's susceptibility to infectious diseases and may also result in the activation of latent infections, particularly in wild animals. Red deer showed little sign of habituating (or sensitizing) to repeated translocations (with the exception of small changes in haematocrit and glucose). ). Managers may reduce health and welfare problems associated with translocation by limiting the number and aversiveness of transitional events. Translocations should also be as short as possible, but longer trips could include short breaks (approx 40 min) in dark, cool environments to settle animals. Managers should ensure access to water and only translocate animals that are in good condition and outside of any sensitive phases of their life cycle (e.g., reproductive period).