TECHNIQUES FOR SURGICAL IMPLANTATION OF RADIO TRANSMITTERS IN THE SILVER FOX (VULPES-VULPES)

Stress and behavior research in captive furbearing animals such as the silver fox (Vulpes vulpes) is often based on ethological observations and physiological data. However, blood sampling, handling, and even t he mere presence of humans have been shown to be severe stress factors for most farmed silver foxes. In an attempt to collect stress physiol ogical data without disturbing the animals, radio transmitters, signal ling heart rate, core temperature, and locomotory activity, were impla nted in 18 silver fox vixens. All these parameters can change during s tress, and can give valuable information to supplement behavioral obse rvations. The present study describes the development of an implantati on technique and potential problems when using the system in captive s emidomesticated animals.