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Biology Department Seminar - Linking health status to socio-spatial behavior of wild boar

When: Friday, October 7, 2022
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Where: Science and Engineering Building 285 Old Westport Road, Dartmouth, MA
Description: While searching for stress reactions in animals, most studies are conducted on captivated animals, providing facts that can be used to improve animal welfare. Stress assessment in free-ranging animals remains challenging but is equally important. During my research, I aim to test different methods to evaluate stress reactions in free-ranging wild boar, their response to these stressors, and their effect on parasite infestation. Wild boar are widely distributed on almost all continents and, therefore, one of the most extensively spread species in the world. Due to the high increase of populations, among human-wildlife conflict and economic dangers, there is also an increased risk of wildlife-livestock contact and the transmission of diseases. Therefore, hunting of wild boar is intensified within the context of risk control measures (currently primarily due to the African Swine Fever). Studies claim little to no reaction to hunting based on movement behavior, but the effect of hunting in the context of stress and coping on such an intensely hunted species is unknown. I collect blood and fecal samples of hunted wild boar to find baseline glucocorticoid levels and evaluate the short- and long-term stress response. Additionally, I aim to find behavioral cues that indicate the reaction to a stressor using bio-logging data. Small-scale body movements, e.g., measured using energy expenditure, can be evidence for general anxiety, supported by the proportion of resting and activity as well as other behaviors. Finally, since stress and behavior influence dispersal, habitat use, and the immune system, I aim to link the population stress level to parasite infestation. These findings give us better insight into how wildlife management systems based on hunting affect heavily managed species such as wild boar.
Contact: Biology Seminar Series 508.999.8248
Topical Areas: Faculty, Students, Graduate, Students, Undergraduate, Biology