An examination of salivary cortisol concentrations and behaviour in three African elephants Loxodonta africana at Zoo Atlanta

Authors

  • Angela S. Kelling University of Houston-Clear Lake
  • Rebecca J. Snyder Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, 2000 Remington Place; Oklahoma City, OK 73111
  • Christopher P. Ward University of Houston-Clear Lake
  • Mollie A. Bloomsmith Yerkes National Primate Research Center; 954 Gatewood Rd, Atlanta, GA 30329
  • Mark L. Laudenslager Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora CO 80045
  • Terry L. Maple Florida Atlantic University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19227/jzar.v12i2.726

Keywords:

captive elephant, non-invasive, stereotypic behaviour, welfare

Abstract

Salivary cortisol assay is an effective method to quantify free cortisol levels, track diurnal patterns and measure acute hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal activation in response to acute stressors. This study examined salivary cortisol and behaviour in three African elephants Loxodonta africana. Salivary cortisol was within normal ranges for this species, declined across the day and responded to a mild social stressor. The relationship between salivary cortisol and stereotypic swaying in two of the elephants was also examined. Swaying was significantly associated with decreased cortisol values in one of the two elephants, indicating this stereotypy may function to reduce arousal, but also emphasising the complicated relationship between physiology and behaviour. This is the first study to demonstrate that swaying reduces salivary cortisol concentrations in some elephants. The opportunities this finding presents for future research and the complex relationship between physiology and behaviour are discussed.

Author Biographies

Angela S. Kelling, University of Houston-Clear Lake

Associate Professor of Psychology

Rebecca J. Snyder, Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, 2000 Remington Place; Oklahoma City, OK 73111

Director of Conservation and Science

Christopher P. Ward, University of Houston-Clear Lake

Department Chair of Psychology and Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience

Mollie A. Bloomsmith, Yerkes National Primate Research Center; 954 Gatewood Rd, Atlanta, GA 30329

Director of Behavior Management

Mark L. Laudenslager, Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora CO 80045

https://medschool.cuanschutz.edu/psychiatry/research/faculty-labs/behavioral-immunology-and-endocrinology-lab

We would like to keep him as an author, but not sure the best way to approach.

Terry L. Maple, Florida Atlantic University

Research Professor

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Published

30-04-2024

How to Cite

Kelling, A., Snyder, R., Ward, C., Bloomsmith, M., Laudenslager, M., & Maple, T. (2024). An examination of salivary cortisol concentrations and behaviour in three African elephants Loxodonta africana at Zoo Atlanta. Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research, 12(2), 79–87. https://doi.org/10.19227/jzar.v12i2.726

Issue

Section

Original Research Article