Positive-reinforcement strategies to reduce capture-stress in Capybaras
Prior to the administration of any anesthetics, capturing the semi-aquatic capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) demands physical restraint, which presents immense challenges. Traditional methods, such as lassoing and traps, are prone to induce acute stress, may result in injury, and can even have f...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Universidade Estadual de Maringá
2019-11-01
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| Series: | Acta Scientiarum: Biological Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.periodicos.uem.br/ojs/index.php/ActaSciBiolSci/article/view/45819 |
| _version_ | 1811318130274729984 |
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| author | Derek Andrew Rosenfield Cristiane Schilbach Pizzutto |
| author_facet | Derek Andrew Rosenfield Cristiane Schilbach Pizzutto |
| author_sort | Derek Andrew Rosenfield |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Prior to the administration of any anesthetics, capturing the semi-aquatic capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) demands physical restraint, which presents immense challenges. Traditional methods, such as lassoing and traps, are prone to induce acute stress, may result in injury, and can even have fatal outcomes. As part of a larger population control project using contraceptive methods, frequent capture-induced stress and injury may directly affect normal reproductive physiology. Thus, choosing a less stress-inducing method was imperative. In this report, we describe methods of conditioning to enable frequent capture and manipulation, using bait as a positive reinforcement associated with a special click-sound, in a free-ranging population of 40 capybaras. The objectives were to attract, herd, and allow capybaras to voluntarily enter a coral. We evaluated the conditioning effect on individual and group behaviors, interpreting vocal and body language manifestations during the processes of conditioning, herding, capture, and recovery (post procedure/chemical restraint), with the aim of minimizing capture-related stress and injuries. Based on our observations, we report that conditioning, used as part of the capture strategies, noticeably facilitated physical restraint and manipulation throughout the procedures, while apparently maintaining the animals’ overall welfare as it relates to conditioning and capture.
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| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T12:21:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-73eeaa3adf7d4badad90f5ef3a9ba1c4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1679-9283 1807-863X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T12:21:33Z |
| publishDate | 2019-11-01 |
| publisher | Universidade Estadual de Maringá |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Acta Scientiarum: Biological Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-73eeaa3adf7d4badad90f5ef3a9ba1c42022-12-22T02:47:12ZengUniversidade Estadual de MaringáActa Scientiarum: Biological Sciences1679-92831807-863X2019-11-0141110.4025/actascibiolsci.v41i1.4581945819Positive-reinforcement strategies to reduce capture-stress in CapybarasDerek Andrew Rosenfield0Cristiane Schilbach Pizzutto1Universidade de São PauloUniversidade de São Paulo Prior to the administration of any anesthetics, capturing the semi-aquatic capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) demands physical restraint, which presents immense challenges. Traditional methods, such as lassoing and traps, are prone to induce acute stress, may result in injury, and can even have fatal outcomes. As part of a larger population control project using contraceptive methods, frequent capture-induced stress and injury may directly affect normal reproductive physiology. Thus, choosing a less stress-inducing method was imperative. In this report, we describe methods of conditioning to enable frequent capture and manipulation, using bait as a positive reinforcement associated with a special click-sound, in a free-ranging population of 40 capybaras. The objectives were to attract, herd, and allow capybaras to voluntarily enter a coral. We evaluated the conditioning effect on individual and group behaviors, interpreting vocal and body language manifestations during the processes of conditioning, herding, capture, and recovery (post procedure/chemical restraint), with the aim of minimizing capture-related stress and injuries. Based on our observations, we report that conditioning, used as part of the capture strategies, noticeably facilitated physical restraint and manipulation throughout the procedures, while apparently maintaining the animals’ overall welfare as it relates to conditioning and capture. https://www.periodicos.uem.br/ojs/index.php/ActaSciBiolSci/article/view/45819animal welfare; baiting; conditioning; Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris; physical restraint; behavior. |
| spellingShingle | Derek Andrew Rosenfield Cristiane Schilbach Pizzutto Positive-reinforcement strategies to reduce capture-stress in Capybaras Acta Scientiarum: Biological Sciences animal welfare; baiting; conditioning; Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris; physical restraint; behavior. |
| title | Positive-reinforcement strategies to reduce capture-stress in Capybaras |
| title_full | Positive-reinforcement strategies to reduce capture-stress in Capybaras |
| title_fullStr | Positive-reinforcement strategies to reduce capture-stress in Capybaras |
| title_full_unstemmed | Positive-reinforcement strategies to reduce capture-stress in Capybaras |
| title_short | Positive-reinforcement strategies to reduce capture-stress in Capybaras |
| title_sort | positive reinforcement strategies to reduce capture stress in capybaras |
| topic | animal welfare; baiting; conditioning; Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris; physical restraint; behavior. |
| url | https://www.periodicos.uem.br/ojs/index.php/ActaSciBiolSci/article/view/45819 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT derekandrewrosenfield positivereinforcementstrategiestoreducecapturestressincapybaras AT cristianeschilbachpizzutto positivereinforcementstrategiestoreducecapturestressincapybaras |