Fecal cortisol content of wild giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) to monitor human disturbance level in natural habitats

Abstract

Wild animals are affected by growing human interference in their habitats and inevitably react internally to such stimuli. This study explores inherent physiological parameters to assess the effect of human interference on giant pandas in their wild habitat. Ninety-one fecal samples were collected within four nature reserves on Qinling Mountain. Fecal cortisol determinations were performed by radioimmunoassay. We categorized the intensity of local human disturbance and tested for correlations between the intensity of human disturbance and fecal cortisol metabolite levels. The results show a significant positive correlation between giant panda fecal cortisol metabolite levels and the degree of disturbance in their habitat. This study is the first to use a non-invasive monitoring method to analyze wild giant panda habitat disturbance, and demonstrates that cortisol metabolite levels in panda dung can objectively reflect the degree of panda habitat disturbance. The results provide a relatively objective means and method with which to evaluate the quality of wild giant panda habitat. This study highlights the need to monitor the effects of human disturbance on wildlife and to implement new policies in the management of nature reserves.