Seasonal differences of corticosterone metabolite concentrations and parasite burden in northern bald ibis (Geronticus eremita): The role of affiliative interactions

The reproductive season is energetically costly as revealed by elevated glucocorticoid concentrations, constrained immune functions and an increased risk of infections. Social allies and affiliative interactions may buffer physiological stress responses and thereby alleviate associated effects. In the present study, we investigated the seasonal differences of immune reactive corticosterone metabolite concentrations, endoparasite burden (nematode eggs and coccidian oocysts) and affiliative interactions in northern bald ibis (Geronticus eremita), a critically endangered bird. In total, 43 individually marked focal animals from a freeranging colony were investigated. The analyses included a description of initiated and received affiliative interactions, pair bond status as well as seasonal patterns of hormone and endoparasite levels. During the reproductive season, droppings contained parasite eggs more often and corticosterone metabolite levels were higher as compared to the period after reproduction. The excretion rate of endoparasite products was lower in paired individuals than in unpaired ones, but paired animals exhibited higher corticosterone metabolite concentrations than unpaired individuals. Furthermore, paired individuals initiated affiliative behaviour more frequently than unpaired ones. This suggests that the reproductive season influences the excretion patterns of endoparasite products and corticosterone metabolites and that affiliative interactions between pair partners may positively affect endoparasite burden during periods of elevated glucocorticoid levels. Being embedded in a pair bond may have a positive impact on individual immune system and parasite resistance

Assessing quality of contributions to avian monitoring by non-scientists: a case study on individually banded wild birds

Long-term records of animal behaviour are useful sources of data for generating new testable hypotheses, though often human and financial resources limit opportunities to acquire such datasets. Citizen science can potentially fill the gap by generating win:win outcomes for science and society. In the present study, non-scientist participants (i.e. school classes and citizen scientists) joined the long-term monitoring of three avian model species (greylag goose, Anser anser ; common ravens, Corvus corax ; northern bald ibis, Geronticus eremita ) by collecting sightings of individually marked birds. Objectives of the study were to address accuracy (in terms of correct identification of bands/species for individual birds) of the observations compiled by the participants depending on the specific tool used for data collection; compare the results obtained with analogue vs digital tools about the spatial abundances of the greylag geese; investigate potential differences in data collection depending on the species’ habits (ground-dwelling or not); and to merge both analogue and digital datasets to model spatial patterns of abundance for one of the monitored species, the greylag goose. Digital or analogue tools were used to collect data over three years. Training modules were offered before starting data collection. Data accuracy varied across focal species and tasks (range 12.5%–100% correct). Among the three monitored avian species, greylag geese (ground-dwelling) were observed the most compared to the common ravens and northern bald ibis (both aerial and/or arboreal). Furthermore, greylag geese showed differences in their abundance between locations as well as preferences for specific spatial hotspots within the study area. Spatial patterns did not differ between breeders and non-breeders. Our study underscores that participants of citizen science projects can contribute accurate behavioural data which could be used to develop a robust model of spatial patterns and abundance of the greylag goose. Involvement of non-scientist participants in research projects is expected to generate further benefits for science (management related decision) and society (enhanced knowledge and awareness of the process of scientific enquiry)

Monitoring public awareness about the endangered northern bald ibis: a case study involving primary school children as citizen scientists

Background Citizen science has evolved over the past decades by motivating members of the public to interact with scientists and actively participate in scientific research and monitoring. For this purpose, a proficient communication is mandatory in order to efficiently convey messages and reduce the gap of knowledge between scientists and lay people. In the present study, we aimed at evaluating the multiplying effect of children, who were trained to communicate their knowledge on an endangered bird species in order to engage the local community in the long-term ornithological monitoring of the free flying and individually marked colony of northern bald ibis (NBI, Geronticus eremita), which was established at the research station in 1997. Methods Pupils of the local primary schools were in regular contact with researchers, enjoyed outdoor encounters with the birds, and were invited to talk about their experience with as many people as possible. Later on, they acted as surveyors to assess the knowledge of the public on (i) the general knowledge about the species, (ii) specific knowledge about the local colony, and (iii) attitudes towards science. In two different years of evaluation (2012 and 2016) a total number of 387 persons were surveyed. The questions were generated together with the pupils and their teachers and the questionnaires were similar for both years of evaluation. All queries were in a closed format. Results Our results show an increase in the proportion of correct answers provided by the surveyed persons between the two years of evaluation. Education-based activities may encourage children to effectively act as multipliers of information and attitudes. This has the potential to induce sustainable changes with respect to attitude towards science, at least among local communities. Furthermore, the study suggests caution with the quality of some information reported by citizen scientists, which might be solved by more careful training actions and more specific information about local particularities. Even though the study would have gained more informative power with some additional precautions than in its current form, our findings recommend the empowerment of pupils as multipliers of scientific knowledge

Effects of food-based enrichment on enclosure use and behavioral patterns in captive mammalian predators: a case study from an Austrian wildlife park

Background Combining naturalistic enclosure design and animal welfare with visitor interests and education can be challenging for zoos and wildlife parks. To accomplish both purposes, different types of enrichment (food-based or non-food-based items, such as environmental, sensory, cognitive, social) can be used. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of food-based and olfactory enrichments on enclosure use, behavior, and visibility of captive brown bears (Ursus arctos), pine martens (Martes martes), domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo), and golden jackals (Canis aureus). Methods We used observational approaches to measure enclosure use, behavior, and visibility during three different experimental phases: (1) pre-enrichment (baseline, no experience with the enrichment yet), (2) during enrichment (enrichment was provided at low frequented locations in the enclosures that are easily visible to visitors), and (3) post-enrichment (enrichment was removed from the enclosures). Results We found that enrichment led to a uniform use of the enclosure and enhanced visibility in brown bears, increased activity budgets in pine martens, and observed high object interaction in both species. No effects of enrichment were detected in domestic ferrets. Golden jackals did not leave their burrows during daytime during the entire observation period; thus, observations were not possible at all. Our results suggest different effects of food-based enrichment, e.g., enclosure use, temporal activity patterns, and animal visibility. However, further studies should control for the specific role of the factors involved. Our study represents one of the first explorations of food-based enrichment in rather understudied species

A direct personal experience of science and nature changes intended behaviours for conservation

Social and affective empathy may generate future conservation benefits as the consequence of transformed personal attitudes. In this study, we investigated changes in attitudes and intended behaviours about the plight of woodland songbirds before and after participation in science activities and direct interaction with scientists monitoring avian biodiversity at Mount Lofty Ranges (MLR) in South Australia. A total of 55 anonymous adult participants were invited to join a survey before and after participating in two 3-h workshops on avian science plus acoustic data collection. Comparing the survey results before and after the experience, there were significant shifts in self-reported “good” knowledge about woodland songbirds; increased concern about the conservation status of woodland birds; increased concern about cessation of songbird research; and an increased interest to play a role in songbird conservation. Further investigations could aim to elucidate the mechanisms for shifts in attitudes that occur together with experiencing nature. In general, this small-scale study provides evidence that nature-based science activities can represent valuable hands-on experience in science and may contribute to conservation outcomes by fostering environmental awareness and self-reported aims for involvement.</p

Effects of bio-loggers on behaviour and corticosterone metabolites of Northern Bald Ibises (Geronticus eremita) in the field and in captivity

BackgroundDuring the past decades, avian studies have profited from the development of miniature electronic devices that allow long-term and long-range monitoring. To ensure data quality and to inform understanding of possible impacts, it is necessary to test the effects of tagging. We investigated the influence of GPS-transmitters on the behaviour and physiology (levels of excreted corticosterone metabolites, CM) of an endangered bird species, the Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita). We considered effects of GPS-tags in two contexts: (1) aviary (i.e. in captivity), focussing on short-term effects of transmitters on locomotion, foraging and maintenance behaviour (20 individuals that differed in sex and age observed for 10 days) and (2) field, focussing on intermediate-term effects of transmitters on locomotion, foraging, maintenance behaviour, dorsal feather preening, social interactions and physiology (CM) (24 individuals observed for 79 days). In both contexts, focal animals were equipped with bio-logger backpacks mounted with a harness.ResultsIn the aviary, behavioural observations were limited to the first days after tagging: no differences were found between individuals with GPS-tags and their controls with respect to the behavioural parameters considered. In the field, no behavioural differences were found between the GPS-tagged individuals and their controls; however, 1 month after tagging, individuals with GPS-tags excreted significantly more CM than their controls before returning to baseline levels.ConclusionsOur results suggest that GPS-transmitters did not affect foraging, locomotion and maintenance behaviour in the Northern Bald Ibis in the short- or intermediate-term. However, they did affect the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal reactivity in the intermediate-term for 1 month before returning to baseline levels the next month. As the Northern Bald Ibis is listed as endangered, evaluating possible adverse effects of bio-logging is also relevant for potential conservation and reintroduction research.publishe

Social context modulates digestive efficiency in greylag geese (Anser anser)

Abstract In group-living animals, social context is known to modulate physiology, behaviour and reproductive output as well as foraging and nutritional strategies. Here we investigate the digestive efficiency of 38 individuals belonging to different social categories of a semi-feral and individually marked flock of greylag geese (Anser anser). During 9 consecutive days in winter 2017, when the ground was fully covered with snow (i.e. no grass or other natural forage available) and the accessible food was standardized, 184 individual droppings were collected and analysed to estimate the apparent digestibility of organic matter (ADOM). Lignin was used as an indigestible internal marker in the food and droppings. The digestive efficiency was higher in pairs with offspring as compared to pairs without offspring or unpaired birds. Furthermore, individuals with high ADOM were more likely to breed successfully in the following season than those with low ADOM. Our findings demonstrate that social status modulates digestive efficiency, probably via a chain of physiological mechanisms including a dampened stress response in individuals enjoying stable social relationships with and social support by their family members (i.e. their own pair-partner and offspring). Our findings underline the importance of the social network in modulating physiology, such as digestive efficiency, and ultimately reproductive success

Differences in excretion patterns of endoparasite products depending on pair bond status.

<p>Percentage of samples containing (grey bars) as well as not containing (white bars) endoparasite products for paired and unpaired individuals. N_paired = 10, N_unpaired = 22, N_samples = 130.</p

Differences in excretion patterns of endoparasite products depending on pair bond status.

<p>Percentage of samples containing (grey bars) as well as not containing (white bars) endoparasite products for paired and unpaired individuals. N_paired = 10, N_unpaired = 22, N_samples = 130.</p

Seasonal differences in engaging in affiliative interactions.

<p>Percentage of occurrences of initiated affiliative behaviour for the reproductive and post-reproductive season. N_reproductive = 87, N_{post-reproductive} = 197.</p