Real-time physiological responses of red deer to translocations

To identify events or processes that may compromise the condition and welfa re of wild ol domesticated mammals during translocations (herding, pretrans port confinement, loading, road transport, off-loading, posttransport confi nement), red deer stags (Cervus elaphus) were outfitted with unique, remote blood-sampling and heart-rate devices and monitored in "real time." Animal s were translocated and monitored again on 2 further occasions (after 1-wee k recovery periods) to determine if red deer would habituate to such proces ses. Heart rates and levels of haematocrit and lactate rose during the init ial herding and penning phase, and again during transitional events such as loading onto the transporter and, to a lesser extent, off-lending, Red dee r may find these transitional events (that involve additional handling) mor e aversive than other parts of the process. A near linear, 3-fold increase in cortisol during the course of translocations suggested red deer became p rogressively stressed as time passed (sodium levels also increased, suggest ing led deer became slightly dehydrated as well). In comparison, glucose an d magnesium levels remained stable. The recorded changes are important beca use high adrenal activity is associated with an increase in an animal's sus ceptibility to infectious diseases and may also result in the activation of latent infections, particularly in wild animals. Red deer showed little si gn of habituating (or sensitizing) to repeated translocations (with the exc eption of small changes in haematocrit and glucose). Managers may reduce he alth and welfare problems associated with translocation by limiting the num ber and aversiveness of transitional events. Translocations should also be as short as possible, but longer trips could include short breaks (approx 4 0 min) in dark, cool environments to settle animals. Managers should ensure access to water and only translocate animals that are in good condition an d outside of any sensitive phases of their life cycle (e.g., reproductive p eriod).