Journal article
The effects of gestagen implants on the behaviour of free-ranging female koalas
EF Hynes, KA Handasyde, G Shaw, MB Renfree
Applied Animal Behaviour Science | ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV | Published : 2011
Abstract
Hormonal contraception is an increasingly important management tool for control of highly abundant populations of wildlife but may have both predictable and unpredictable effects on behaviour, with consequent implications for management and animal welfare. In a study of free-ranging koalas we demonstrated that implants of levonorgestrel, but not etonogestrel, prevent pregnancies. Concurrently the effects these implants had on the behaviour of female koalas were investigated. Free-ranging female koalas were fitted with radio-collars and given either a control, levonorgestrel (70 mg) or etonogestrel (34 mg or 68 mg) implant. Ranging behaviour was compared across groups. During the first breedi..
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Awarded by Department of Sustainability and Environment
Funding Acknowledgements
We thank S. Coutts, M. Douglas, A. Ledden, T. Easy, D. Jackson and G. Briggs from Parks Victoria for providing transport and accommodation. We thank Leiras Pharmaceuticals, Finland and Professor R.V. Short for the kind gift of the levonorgestrel implants, and Organon Australia for the etonogestrel implants. This study was supported by a grant from San Diego Zoological Society, who with The University of Melbourne jointly funded a PhD scholarship for EFH. MBR was supported by an Australian Research Council Federation Fellowship. This research was conducted with the permission of Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria, Australia (Wildlife Research Permits: 10002538 and 10003860) and the University of Melbourne, Science and Institute of Land and Environment Animal Ethics Committee (projects 03147 and 06120).