Foraging behavior, contaminant exposure risk, and the stress response in wild California condors (Gymnogyps californianus)

Glucs, Zeka E.; Smith, Donald R.; Tubbs, Christopher W.; Bakker, Victoria J.; Wolstenholme, Rachel; Dudus, Kristina; Burnett, Joseph; Clark, Melissa; Clark, Michael; Finkelstein, Myra E.

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Issue Date

2020

Author

Glucs, Zeka E.
Smith, Donald R.
Tubbs, Christopher W.
Bakker, Victoria J.
Wolstenholme, Rachel
Dudus, Kristina
Burnett, Joseph
Clark, Melissa
Clark, Michael
Finkelstein, Myra E.

Subject

CALIFORNIA CONDORS
ENDANGERED SPECIES
HEALTH
TOXICOLOGY
SCAVENGING
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
POLLUTIION

Journal title

Environmental Research

Volume

189

Begin page

109905

Abstract

Wild California condors (Gymnogyps californianus) are frequently exposed to lead via lead-based ammunition ingestion, and recent studies indicate significant exposure to organochlorines (e.g. dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)) for condors feeding on beach-cast marine mammals. We investigated the influence of contaminant exposure on condor glucocorticoid response through comparisons between wild and captive populations and identified modifiers of glucocorticoid release….

Description

Wild California condors are frequently exposed to lead and organochlorine contaminants while scavenging in terrestrial and marine environments, respectively. In other species, these contaminants are known to effect production of glucocorticoids; the hormones that regulate the stress response. Using a combination of behavioral observations, lead exposure histories and hormone assays, this study examined whether exposure to lead and organochlorine contaminants could potentially affect glucocorticoid production in condors. For wild condors, we identified a number of variables positively associated with increased glucocorticoid production. These included time away from management areas, which is also strongly associated with increased lead exposure. Similarly, the number of years a condor was observed feeding on marine mammal carcasses, a positive indicator of organochlorine exposure, was also associated with increased glucocorticoid production. Together, these findings suggest contaminant exposure could affect the condor stress response and the implications, as well as the challenges of studying glucocorticoids in wildlife species, are discussed.

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12634/676

Type

Article

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ICR Research Publications