MCKENZIE, Sarah; DEANE, Elizabeth M; Macquarie University; Macquarie University: Towards a non-invasive protocol for monitoring the wellbeing of marsupial populations.

Effective management of captive animal populations requires a comprehensive understanding of both their biological and psychosocial needs, and the tools to monitor their resultant wellbeing. We are concerned with developing and validating a non-invasive protocol to measure/monitor stress in captive populations of marsupials. We have chosen a “model” marsupial, the Tammar wallaby. This species is relatively easy to maintain in captivity and a significant body of biological information is available. However, little comprehensive information exists on fundamental haematological and endocrine parameters of the Tammar. Such information is essential in monitoring deviations from ‘normal’ ranges of values, as these can indicate compromised health and well-being in many species. As a first step in developing non-invasive protocols, we have undertaken a substantive study of the haematology and serum cortisol levels of a captive population of Tammar wallabies, including comparisons between sexes, ages and seasons. We found variations in haematology with all three factors, with juvenile animals having a haematological profile quite distinct from adults. Significant seasonal variation in cortisol levels was also evident. In conjunction with behavioural parameters currently being investigated, this information will assist wildlife managers in assessing and monitoring the health status of individuals, particularly those in captivity. This paper will report on these findings and the role such data will serve in the development and validation of non-invasive techniques of health assessment, particularly faecal analysis of cortisol in the Tammar wallaby and other marsupial species.