Physiological and behavioral indices of short-term stress in wild vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna) in Jujuy Province, Argentina

ABSTRACT

The management of wild vicuñas can trigger a stress response that may compromise welfare. In Santa Catalina, Jujuy Province, Argentina, indices of short-term stress associated with capture, handling, and shearing were studied in 105 wild vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna). The study included 2 groups (n = 59 and n = 46) of wild vicuñas captured in 2 consecutive days. Independent variables analyzed included sex, restraint time, and groups. Cortisol, creatine kinase, glucose, white blood cells, temperature, heart rate, and respiratory frequency were higher than published values. Respiratory rate increased during handling and correlated with holding time and group size, while heart rate decreased. Packed cell volume was higher in females. Cortisol concentrations differed between restraint groups and sex and inversely correlated with agonistic behavior. The most common behavior was increased vigilance. Sternal recumbency increased over holding time. During handling procedures, frequency of sudden movements like kicking and attempts to stand increased as restraint time increased. Females vocalized more than males. In conclusion, the methods used triggered measurable changes suggestive of short-term stress that appeared to be physiologically tolerated by the vicuñas.

KEYWORDS:

• Argentinean Puna
• capture
• stress
• wild vicuñas

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the VICAM: Vicuñas, Camélidos, Ambiente (Vicunas, Camelids, Environment) team—J. Baldo, V. Rojo, H. Yacobaccio, C. Samec, and J. Atan—for field logistics and assistance, as well as A. Dekker, M. van Erp, C. Cussel, and C. Carmody; the students of the National University of Jujuy and students of the National University of Luján; the Agronomic cooperative and the community of Santa Catalina, Province of Jujuy, for their assistance and hospitality; and M. Castro and S. Cunzolo for laboratory assistance. We thank Dr. María Díez León who helped us improve the English version of the manuscript.

Drs. G. Marcoppido, Y. Arzamendia, and B. Vilá are full-time researchers of the National Research Council (CONICET) of Argentina.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Research Council (CONICET), Argentina. This project was funded by the National Agency for Research PICT 0479-2013: Vicuñas en Jujuy: Un abordaje interdisciplinario (Vicuñas in Jujuy: An interdisciplinary view) and the CONICET project PIP N°11220110100962.