INIBIOMA   20415
INSTITUTO DE INVESTIGACIONES EN BIODIVERSIDAD Y MEDIOAMBIENTE
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
artículos
Título:
Different responses of free-ranging wild guanacos (Lama guanicoe) to shearing operations: implications for better management practices in wildlife exploitation
Autor/es:
TARABORELLI PAULA; GREGORIO P. ; MOSCA TORRES M. E.; RAGO V. ; SCHROEDER N. ; PANEBIANCO A.; OVEJERO R. ; CARMANCHAHI P.
Revista:
ANIMAL WELFARE
Editorial:
UNIV FEDERATION ANIMAL WELFARE
Referencias:
Año: 2017 vol. 26 p. 49 - 58
ISSN:
0962-7286
Resumen:
In some areas of South America, free-ranging, wild guanacos (Lama guanicoe) are exploited for fibre by local people. This activity includes both capture and handling of animals which can affect their behaviour and physiology. This study investigated the behavioural and physiological responses of guanacos to shearing and handling activities in order to obtain a better picture of the welfare state of individuals. We measured variables considered to affect the guanaco responses: enclosed time, handling time, in relation to sex, age and vital signs (heart beat frequency per minute, respiratory rate per minute, body temperature and body condition). Blood samples also were collected to measure serum cortisol levels and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratios. Stress behaviours were recorded as the frequency of spitting, kicking, escape attempts and vocalizations. Our main results showed that stress behaviour rates were high as handling time increased, whereas serum cortisol and N/L levels where higher when body condition scores declined (skinny and slim score). In those cases, handling time should be as short as possible to minimize individual´s stress levels. Stress behaviour rates and serum cortisol levels were higher in juvenile than in adult guanacos. Finally, both physiological stress responses measured serum cortisol concentrations and N/L ratios were higher during the management activities of 2010 than in 2009, having 2010 greatly worse environmental conditions. Thus, when managing guanacos it is important to consider both, animal traits and previous environmental conditions in the management area and to avoid shearing juveniles and individuals with poor body condition scores if weather conditions are severe. These management recommendations are likely to improve animal welfare, paving the way towards sustainable management of this emblematic wild species of desert biomes of South America.