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Stress level in wild harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) during satellite tagging measured by respiration, heart rate and cortisol

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 July 2009

I.G. Eskesen ,
J. Teilmann ,
B.M. Geertsen ,
G. Desportes ,
F. Riget ,
R. Dietz ,
F. Larsen  and
U. Siebert
I.G. Eskesen*
Affiliation:
National Environmental Research Institute, Department of Arctic Environment, University of Aarhus, Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
J. Teilmann
Affiliation:
National Environmental Research Institute, Department of Arctic Environment, University of Aarhus, Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
B.M. Geertsen
Affiliation:
National Environmental Research Institute, Department of Arctic Environment, University of Aarhus, Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark Institute of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense, Denmark
G. Desportes
Affiliation:
Fjord & Bælt Centre, Dk-5300 Kerteminde, present address: GDnatur, Stejlestræde 9, DK-5300 Kerteminde, Denmark
F. Riget
Affiliation:
National Environmental Research Institute, Department of Arctic Environment, University of Aarhus, Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
R. Dietz
Affiliation:
National Environmental Research Institute, Department of Arctic Environment, University of Aarhus, Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
F. Larsen
Affiliation:
DTU Aqua, Charlottenlund Slot, DK-2920 Charlottenlund, Denmark
U. Siebert
Affiliation:
Forschungs- und Technologiezentrum Westküste, University of Kiel, Hafentörn 1, D-25761 Büsum, Germany
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: I.G. Eskesen, National Environmental Research Institute, Department of Arctic Environment, University of Aarhus, Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark email: idaeskesen@hotmail.com
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Abstract

During satellite tagging of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), heart rate, respiration rate and cortisol value were measured to evaluate stress effects during handling and tagging. Respiration rates were obtained using video recordings, heart rates were recorded and serum cortisol levels were analysed from blood samples. Differences in heart rates, respiration rates and cortisol levels before and during the tagging events were investigated. An overall significant decrease of 31.5% in respiration rate was found during the tagging event period, while mature porpoises respired significantly more often than immature individuals. Though significant differences in heart rates were found for some individuals, no general significant change for all animals was detected. We found no correlation between cortisol concentration and either heart rate or respiration rate, nor did we find any relationships between cortisol and month of year, sex and body length. As high individual variations occurred in response to tagging of harbour porpoises, it is not possible to give general advice based on the factors investigated, on how to reduce stress during handling. However, pouring water over the animal and lowering it into the water seem to stabilize a stressed animal. Therefore, general precaution and individual judgement based on experience is essential when handling wild harbour porpoises.

Keywords

Phocoena phocoenastresshandlingrespirationheart ratecortisolfreeze brandingsatellite tagging
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 89 , Special Issue 5: Cetaceans , August 2009 , pp. 885 - 892
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2009

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