Monitoring stress in bears
Dr. David Janz
University of Saskatchewan, Canada
Human activities can negatively affect wildlife populations, and in some cases may result in long-term stress and health problems in individual animals. This study resulted in the development of a technique to measure a primary stress hormone, cortisol, in hair collected from grizzly bears and polar bears. In combination with collaborative research into environmental changes and animal health, the research team validated hair cortisol testing as a sensitive, reliable and noninvasive measure of long-term stress in wildlife.
This type of test will help conservation managers assess the health of wild animal populations, particularly large mammalian carnivores such as bears. Researchers were also able to identify many important methodological considerations for other researchers who might use the cortisol hair test, thereby improving testing and allowing for more accurate outcomes.
Posted by MAFon December 29, 2011.
Categories: Animal health, Animal studies, Wildlife health
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