Comparing Space Use and Fecal Glucocorticoid Concentrations during and after the COVID-19 Closure to Investigate Visitor Effects in Multiple Species
We used the COVID-19 pandemic closure at the Saint Louis Zoo to examine visitor effects on space use and glucocorticoid levels in banteng, grizzly bears, polar bears, and western lowland gorillas. The study was divided into four six-week phases: closure in spring 2020, reopening in summer 2020, fall...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5636/3/3/26 |
| _version_ | 1797486049570586624 |
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| author | Ashley N. Edes Nathan C. Liu Eli Baskir Karen L. Bauman Corinne P. Kozlowski Helen L. Clawitter David M. Powell |
| author_facet | Ashley N. Edes Nathan C. Liu Eli Baskir Karen L. Bauman Corinne P. Kozlowski Helen L. Clawitter David M. Powell |
| author_sort | Ashley N. Edes |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We used the COVID-19 pandemic closure at the Saint Louis Zoo to examine visitor effects on space use and glucocorticoid levels in banteng, grizzly bears, polar bears, and western lowland gorillas. The study was divided into four six-week phases: closure in spring 2020, reopening in summer 2020, fall 2020, and spring 2021 as a seasonal comparison. Space use data were collected using video, and fecal samples were assayed for glucocorticoids. Generalized linear models were used to examine differences in zone occupancy and glucocorticoids between phases. The banteng spent more time near visitors, and glucocorticoids were only temporarily elevated in two of five animals when visitors returned. The grizzly bears spent more time in their habitat than in the den, and the polar bear spent more time near viewing areas after visitors returned. Glucocorticoids did not differ significantly between the closure and reopening for any bears. The gorillas spent less time close to visitors immediately after reopening but this effect waned by fall; glucocorticoid data were not available. Overall, based on space use and glucocorticoid levels, we suggest visitor effects on the gorillas are neutral, on the grizzly bears are neutral or positive, and are positive on the banteng and polar bear. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T23:27:38Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bb089b57131e4e7c93a69fd6868d3d59 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2673-5636 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T23:27:38Z |
| publishDate | 2022-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens |
| spelling | doaj.art-bb089b57131e4e7c93a69fd6868d3d592023-11-23T17:15:48ZengMDPI AGJournal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens2673-56362022-07-013332834810.3390/jzbg3030026Comparing Space Use and Fecal Glucocorticoid Concentrations during and after the COVID-19 Closure to Investigate Visitor Effects in Multiple SpeciesAshley N. Edes0Nathan C. Liu1Eli Baskir2Karen L. Bauman3Corinne P. Kozlowski4Helen L. Clawitter5David M. Powell6Department of Reproductive and Behavioral Sciences, Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis, MO 63110, USACollege of Arts & Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USADepartment of Reproductive and Behavioral Sciences, Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis, MO 63110, USADepartment of Reproductive and Behavioral Sciences, Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis, MO 63110, USADepartment of Reproductive and Behavioral Sciences, Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis, MO 63110, USADepartment of Reproductive and Behavioral Sciences, Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis, MO 63110, USADepartment of Reproductive and Behavioral Sciences, Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis, MO 63110, USAWe used the COVID-19 pandemic closure at the Saint Louis Zoo to examine visitor effects on space use and glucocorticoid levels in banteng, grizzly bears, polar bears, and western lowland gorillas. The study was divided into four six-week phases: closure in spring 2020, reopening in summer 2020, fall 2020, and spring 2021 as a seasonal comparison. Space use data were collected using video, and fecal samples were assayed for glucocorticoids. Generalized linear models were used to examine differences in zone occupancy and glucocorticoids between phases. The banteng spent more time near visitors, and glucocorticoids were only temporarily elevated in two of five animals when visitors returned. The grizzly bears spent more time in their habitat than in the den, and the polar bear spent more time near viewing areas after visitors returned. Glucocorticoids did not differ significantly between the closure and reopening for any bears. The gorillas spent less time close to visitors immediately after reopening but this effect waned by fall; glucocorticoid data were not available. Overall, based on space use and glucocorticoid levels, we suggest visitor effects on the gorillas are neutral, on the grizzly bears are neutral or positive, and are positive on the banteng and polar bear.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5636/3/3/26physiologycortisolzoo researchbehaviorbantenggorillas |
| spellingShingle | Ashley N. Edes Nathan C. Liu Eli Baskir Karen L. Bauman Corinne P. Kozlowski Helen L. Clawitter David M. Powell Comparing Space Use and Fecal Glucocorticoid Concentrations during and after the COVID-19 Closure to Investigate Visitor Effects in Multiple Species Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens physiology cortisol zoo research behavior banteng gorillas |
| title | Comparing Space Use and Fecal Glucocorticoid Concentrations during and after the COVID-19 Closure to Investigate Visitor Effects in Multiple Species |
| title_full | Comparing Space Use and Fecal Glucocorticoid Concentrations during and after the COVID-19 Closure to Investigate Visitor Effects in Multiple Species |
| title_fullStr | Comparing Space Use and Fecal Glucocorticoid Concentrations during and after the COVID-19 Closure to Investigate Visitor Effects in Multiple Species |
| title_full_unstemmed | Comparing Space Use and Fecal Glucocorticoid Concentrations during and after the COVID-19 Closure to Investigate Visitor Effects in Multiple Species |
| title_short | Comparing Space Use and Fecal Glucocorticoid Concentrations during and after the COVID-19 Closure to Investigate Visitor Effects in Multiple Species |
| title_sort | comparing space use and fecal glucocorticoid concentrations during and after the covid 19 closure to investigate visitor effects in multiple species |
| topic | physiology cortisol zoo research behavior banteng gorillas |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5636/3/3/26 |
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