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Evaluating Stress Physiology and Parasite Infection Parameters in the Translocation of Critically Endangered Woylies (Bettongia penicillata)

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Abstract

Translocation can be stressful for wildlife. Stress may be important in fauna translocation because it has been suggested that it can exacerbate the impact of infectious disease on translocated wildlife. However, few studies explore this hypothesis by measuring stress physiology and infection indices in parallel during wildlife translocations. We analysed faecal cortisol metabolite (FCM) concentration and endoparasite parameters (nematodes, coccidians and haemoparasites) in a critically endangered marsupial, the woylie (Bettongia penicillata), 1–3 months prior to translocation, at translocation, and 6 months later. FCM for both translocated and resident woylies was significantly higher after translocation compared to before or at translocation. In addition, body condition decreased with increasing FCM after translocation. These patterns in host condition and physiology may be indicative of translocation stress or stress associated with factors independent of the translocation. Parasite factors also influenced FCM in translocated woylies. When haemoparasites were detected, there was a significant negative relationship between strongyle egg count and FCM. This may reflect the influence of glucocorticoids on the immune response to micro- and macro-parasites. Our results indicate that host physiology and infection patterns can change significantly during translocation, but further investigation is required to determine how these patterns influence translocation success.

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Acknowledgements

This research was undertaken in collaboration with the Western Australian Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPAW) and co-funded by DPAW and an Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Grant (LP130101073). We thank our funders including the Australian Academy of Science Margaret Middleton Foundation, Foundation of National Parks and Wildlife, Murdoch University School of Veterinary and Life Sciences and Australian Society for Parasitology, Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, Australian Wildlife Society and Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment. Special thanks to DPAW staff and volunteers for their assistance in the field. This project was conducted under DPAW Scientific Licences (Regulation 4: written notice of lawful authority, and 17: licence to take fauna for scientific purposes) and in accordance with Murdoch University Animal Ethics Approval (RW2659/14).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia

    Stephanie Hing, Amy S. Northover, Krista L. Jones, Sarah Keatley, R. C. Andrew Thompson & Stephanie S. Godfrey

  2. School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2650, Australia

    Edward J. Narayan

  3. Science and Conservation Division, Department of Parks and Wildlife, Manjimup, WA, 6258, Australia

    Adrian F. Wayne

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  1. Stephanie Hing
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Correspondence to Stephanie Hing.

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Hing, S., Northover, A.S., Narayan, E.J. et al. Evaluating Stress Physiology and Parasite Infection Parameters in the Translocation of Critically Endangered Woylies (Bettongia penicillata). EcoHealth 14 (Suppl 1), 128–138 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-017-1214-4

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