Abstract
BackgroundCaptive European bison (Bison bonasus) play an active role in conservation measures for this species; this includes education, which may conflict with these animals’ welfare. The effect of the presence of visitors on the welfare of captive animals can be negative, positive or neutral. However, the response of a given species to visitors is difficult to predict, since even closely related species display varying levels of tolerance to captivity. The aim of the study was to compare immunoreactive fecal cortisol levels (regarded as an indicator of the level of physiological stress) in groups of captive European bison that differed in terms of their social structure and the level of visitor pressure. The second aim was to determine if there was a correlation between intestinal parasitic burden and immunoreactive fecal cortisol levels.ResultsImmunoreactive fecal cortisol levels were not influenced by sex or age. However, study site and the interaction between study site and visitor pressure were statistically significant. European bison in one enclosure presented higher levels of immunoreactive fecal cortisol on weekdays than at weekends. In the other two study sites, the levels did not differ between weekdays and weekends. No correlation was found between parasitological infestation and immunoreactive fecal cortisol levels.ConclusionsMeasurement of fecal cortisol metabolites could be a valuable method for further research into the welfare of European bison in captivity. More subtle factors such as individual animal characteristics, feeding systems, and the arrangement of enclosures can be of great importance in terms of the effect of visitors on animals. The results of this study can be used in guidelines for the management of European bison populations.
Highlights
Captive European bison (Bison bonasus) play an active role in conservation measures for this species; this includes education, which may conflict with these animals’ welfare
Animals and study sites When selecting the study sites, the following criteria were taken into account: (1) the studied herds of European bison should be family-like groups consisting of an adult male, adult females, and young individuals of both sexes; (2) groups should be characterized by varied social structures; (3) study sites should be characterized by cyclically variable visitor pressure; and (4) the enclosure layout and herd structure should ensure the possibility of taking fecal samples from identified individuals
In Forest Culture Center (FCC) Gołuchów, European bison were allowed to use a 20 ha enclosure, but it was separated into two main pens: a daily pen of about 1 ha, where the animals were exposed to visitors, and a nighttime pen that was open to the animals at night
Summary
Captive European bison (Bison bonasus) play an active role in conservation measures for this species; this includes education, which may conflict with these animals’ welfare. Klich et al Acta Vet Scand (2021) 63:24 animals is an important element of conservation strategies [4] For this reason, methods of European bison breeding are constantly the subject of scientific considerations [5, 6]. Keeping animals in enclosures allows them to be presented to the public, which in turn may contribute to increased acceptance of the occurrence of wild herds in natural environments [11]. This educational role is realized by zoos and breeding farms, where European bison are presented in a quasi-natural environment. These centers are popular tourist attractions because the European bison is the largest mammal species in Europe and is deeply embedded in culture and art [12, 13]
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