PLASMA-CORTISOL AS AN INDICATOR OF STRESS DUE TO CAPTURE AND TRANSLOCATION IN WILDLIFE SPECIES

Plasma cortisol concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay in 712 individual animals of 18 wildlife species after either physical or chemical restraint, tranquillisation or trauma, in order to define ba seline values and to assess the possibility of using cortisol as an in dicator of stress. The cortisol levels appeared to rise after capture in all the species examined except the Cape buffalo. On the basis of t he plasma cortisol levels, chemical capture was less stressful than ph ysical restraint. Animals which were tranquillised had lower than 'nor mal' cortisol levels, whereas animals that had suffered trauma or whic h died after they were captured had higher than normal cortisol levels .