Behavioral-Physiological Effects from Musk-Extraction Operation on Captive Alpine Musk Deer Moschus chrysogaster
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1.School of Environment and Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872; 2.School of Animal Science, Xichang University, Xichang 615000; 3.College of Ecology and Environment, Tibet University, Lhasa 850000; 4.Policy Research Center for Environment and Economy, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Beijing 100092, China

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    Abstract:

    [Objectives] Musk-extraction from captive Alpine Musk Deer Moschus chrysogaster by Musk Deer breeding unit with relevant qualificationshas become an effective measure to provide musk sustainably. However, the related musk-extraction operation (MEO) may cause behavioral-physiological stress on Musk Deer because it involves manipulations such as capturing, holding of Musk Deer and musk-extracting handling. [Methods] This study was conducted in the breeding Center of Musk Deer in Xinglongshan, Gansu Province, between November and December, 2020. We determined the levels of fecal cortisol metabolites and activity of 46 male Musk Deer with MEO. Generalized linear model and analysis of variance were used to explore the potential behavioral-physiological effects from MEO on Musk Deer of different ages. [Results] We found that the level of fecal cortisol metabolites in adult Musk Deer after MEO (85.28 ± 5.00 ng/g) was significantly higher than before (56.08 ± 8.64 ng/g) (P < 0.05, Fig. 1), and it increased after MEO, peaking on the third day after MEO and recovering to normal level on the fourth day after MEO (Table 1). However, cortisol level in elderly Musk Deer was not affected by MEO (P < 0.05, Fig. 1). Activity level in elderly and adult Musk Deer decreased after MEO and reached the lowest values on the second day after MEO (elderly:59.04% ± 4.54%, adult:73.03% ± 7.71%) and then gradually recovered. However, only the elderly Musk Deer show significantly lower level of activity than that before MEO (74.09% ± 3.97%, P < 0.05, Table 2). [Conclusion] It was found that the MEO can cause behavioral-physiological stress on captive male Musk Deer, in which there existed the significant differences between age-classes.

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HUANG Wei, WU Jia-Yi, SHEN Li-Quan, ZHOU Xin, Lü Qin-Xin, QIN Yu-Hong, YUAN Nai-Xiu, ZENG Fan-Gang, MENG Xiu-Xiang. 2024. Behavioral-Physiological Effects from Musk-Extraction Operation on Captive Alpine Musk Deer Moschus chrysogaster. Chinese Journal of Zoology, 59(3): 379-386.

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  • Received:April 17,2023
  • Revised:
  • Adopted:
  • Online: June 17,2024
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