Effects of habituation, research and ecotourism on faecal glucocorticoid metabolites in wild western lowland gorillas: Implications for conservation management

• DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2014.02.014
• Publication Date: 2014-03-17T03:03:00Z
• Authors: Kathryn Shutt; Michael Heistermann; Adetayo Kasim; Angelique Todd; Barbora Kalousova; Ilona Profosouva; Klara Petrzelkova; Terrence Fuh; Jean-Francais Dicky; Jean-Bruno Bopala...; Joanna M. Setchell
• Keywords: Gorilla; Wildlife tourism

Wildlife tourism is proliferating worldwide and has the potential to raise revenue for conservation as well public awareness of issues. However, concerns are growing about potentially negative influence such on wildlife involved. We investigate effects habituation, ecotourism research activities levels faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGCMs), a proxy physiological stress, in wild western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) Central African Republic. compare FGCMs three human-contacted groups with those unhabituated gorillas. also explore how human–gorilla contact influences group undergoing habituation measures general contact, human proximity recently long-term habituated groups. Two had higher than The highest FGCMs, which increased up 21 days following contacts, suggesting cumulative FGCM response, line descriptions hormonal adaptation response chronic intermittent stressor. were significantly associated increasing frequency violation 7 m distance rule by observers medical intervention but not other pressure. Our findings provide critical information management this, other, species whose depends ecotourism.