Faecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels of intensive captive, free-range captive, and wild Tasmanian devils

ABSTRACT Captivity can alter the stress physiology and behaviour of an animal in both the short- and long-term through repetitive exposure to novel stressors and, subsequently, may reduce the success of conservation efforts such as translocation and reintroduction. The Tasmanian devil ( Sarcophilus harrisii ) is threatened with extinction from a fatal facial tumour disease which has led to the establishment of an insurance meta-population designed for future reintroductions of disease-free devils. The meta-population is comprised of intensive captive and free-range captive environments; however, no study has yet examined the long-term physiological implications of captivity on devils. We used non-invasive faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) monitoring to determine if there were any differences in adrenal activity between intensive captive, free-range captive, and wild devils. FGMs were not age- or sexdependent, and we found that all population-types had similar intra-population variability and mean FGMs. In conclusion, both types of captive environment maintain stress profiles similar to wild devils.