Fecal glucocorticoid metabolite and T3 profiles of orphaned elephants differ from non-orphaned elephants in Zambia

Elephants provide valuable insight into how early-life adverse events (ELAEs) associate with animal health and welfare because they can live to advanced ages, display extensive cognitive and memory capabilities, and rely heavily on social bonds. Although it is known that African savanna elephants that experienced ELAEs, such as being orphaned due to human activities, have altered behavioral outcomes, little is known regarding the physiological consequences associated with those stressors.

We compared fecal glucocorticoid (fGCM) and thyroid (fT3) metabolites as well as body condition scores (BCS) in rescued and rehabilitated orphaned (early-dry season: n = 20; late-dry season: n = 21 elephants) African savanna elephants in Kafue National Park, Zambia to age- and sex-matched wild non-orphaned controls groups (early-dry season: n = 57; late-dry season: n = 22 elephants) during the early- (May/June) and late- (September/October) dry seasons, respectively. Age and sex were known for orphans. For non-orphan controls, age was estimated based on dung diameter, and sex was determined based on external genitalia. Hormone concentrations were compared between groups by age class to account for developmental and nutritional transitions experienced in early life. Given that environmental stressors (e.g., availability of food and water sources) change over the course of the dry season, early- and late-dry seasons were separated in the analyses.

fGCM concentrations were higher in orphans at younger ages than non-orphaned controls of any age. This may be due to the younger orphans being temporally closer to the traumatic event and thus not having had sufficient time to establish meaningful social bonds that could buffer the negative outcomes associated with ELAEs. Alternatively, orphans could have acclimated to living under human care, resulting in fGCM concentrations that were not different from wild controls at older ages. Orphans also had significantly higher mean fT3 concentrations than non-orphans, suggesting increased caloric intake during rehabilitation. There was no difference in BCS between orphan and non-orphan elephants at any age or time period, possibly reflecting the limitations associated with BCS assessments in younger elephants.

Together, these results provide insight into possible physiological responses underlying ELAEs and/or living under human care, including alterations in fGCM and fT3 concentrations, particularly in younger orphans. While these hormonal changes suggest a physiological response to trauma, the support of social bonds and acclimation to human care may mitigate long-term stress effects, highlighting the critical role of social integration in elephant rehabilitation and conservation efforts.