Assessing physiological, behavioral and movement responses to Suprelorin® implant delivery methods in free-ranging eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus)
Data files
Dec 02, 2025 version files 3.10 MB
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Data_LAMN.csv
2.42 KB
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EGK_FGM_Datalong_29Sep24.csv
21.68 KB
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GPS_clean.csv
3.06 MB
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README.md
4.15 KB
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Video_behaviours_new_4Sep2024.csv
15.38 KB
Abstract
Overabundant populations of eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) in peri-urban areas pose ecological and social challenges. Current management strategies are often hindered by animal welfare and logistical concerns. This study aimed to assess stress responses of kangaroos to two contraceptive delivery methods. We assessed physiological and behavioral responses of females treated with Suprelorin® (deslorelin acetate) implants delivered remotely as an alternative to the traditional capture-treatment method. Sexually mature females were assigned to one of three groups: SC (4.7 mg implant via subcutaneous injection after capture), Dart (4.7 mg implant remotely via dart), and Control (no treatment or capture). We used a before-after control-impact framework to quantify stress-induced response to both methods through assessment of changes in behavior (which may also indicate pain) and fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) concentrations. Additionally, we assessed changes in movement patterns using GPS collars. No significant changes in FGM concentrations, behavior, or movement were detected across treatments or time periods. During the treatment window (5-9 April 2018), the Dart group displayed a temporary reduction in step length while the SC group shifted from nocturnal to crepuscular activity, with both groups returning to pre-treatment patterns after the treatment window. The SC group showed weak evidence of increased vigilance and decreased grooming throughout the treatment window, though individual variability was high. Remote dart delivery avoids risk associated with sedation and capture and imposes fewer behavioral disruptions, presenting a safer alternative for administering injectable contraceptives to kangaroos in a peri-urban area. Therefore, remote delivery offers a less invasive, more welfare-friendly and practically advantageous option for managing overabundant populations. Future research should enhance the utility of remote delivery by addressing logistical challenges (e.g., identifying treated animals) and evaluating efficacy in other species. Adoption of remote delivery contraceptives in wildlife management policies could enhance ethical and practical management of overabundant populations.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.18931zd9v
Description of the data and file structure
This dataset is organised around a Before-After Control-Impact (BACI) experimental framework to assess how two contraceptive delivery methods impact kangaroo movements, behavior, and physiological stress.
Files and variables
File: Data_LAMN.csv
Description: Contains individual-level data on eastern grey kangaroos related to physical metrics, reproductive history, and treatment groups.
Variables
- ID: Unique individual kangaroo identifier
- Weight_kg: body weight in kilograms
- ADG_g: Average daily weight gain in grams
- Leg_cm: leg length in centimetres
- PY_Treat0: Pouch young (PY) presence on initial capture
- PY_birth_treat: Month of birth of pouch young present at time of treatment
- PY_Season_treat: Season of birth of pouch young present at time of treatment
- Interbirth_pre: Interval between previous births before treatment (days)
- Treat1: Assigned contraceptive group
- PY_Treat1: Pouch young present at the time of treatment
- PY_Treat1_bin: Pouch young present at the time of treatment binary (1 = present; 0 = absent)
- PY_age_Treat1: Pouch young age (days) at the time of treatment
- Interbirth_post_Treat1: Interbirth interval post treatment (days)
- PY1_post_Treat1: Pouch young birth post treatment (days)
- PY1_post_Treat1_season: Pouch young birth post treatment (season)
- Pregnant_Treat1: Female pregnant at treatment
- Pregnant_Treat1_bin: Female pregnant at treatment binary (1 = pregnant; 0 = not pregnant)
- Blast_Treat1: Blastocyst at treatment
- Blast_Treat1_bin: Blastocyst at treatment binary (1 = blastocyst; 0 = no blastocyst)
File: EGK_FGM_Datalong_29Sep24.csv
Description: dataset of fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) concentration used to measure physiological stress responses before and after contraception delivery.
Variables
- ID: animal individual identifier
- Treat: Treatment group
- Treat date: contraceptive delivery date
- Pre_Post: indicates whether the sample was collected before or after treatment. Pre72 = 72 hours pre treatment; Pre48 = 48 hours pre treatment; Pre24 = 24 hous pre treatment; Post24 = 24 hours post treatment; Post48 = 48 hours post treatment; Post72 = 72 hours post treatment.
- Day_time: time of day sample was collected
- Bef_Aft: binary indicator distinguishing before and after treatment periods (0 = pre treatment; 1 = post treatment)
- Conc: concentration of glucocorticoid metabolites in fecal samples, indicating stress levels (ng/g)
File: GPS_clean.csv
Description: cleaned location tracking data from GPS collars fitted on kangaroos to observe movement patterns before and after contraceptive treatment.
Variables
- period: before or after treatment
- ID: individual kangaroo identifier
- year, month, day, hour, minute: timestamp for GPS fix
- tfix: timestamp converted format
- x, y: latitude/ longitude
File: Video_behaviours_new_4Sep2024.csv
Description: behavioral observations recorded from video monitoring sessions, assessing kangaroo activity and specific behaviours before and after contraceptive treatments.
Variables
- ID: individual kangaroo identifier
- Date_treat: date of treatment
- Treat: assignment treatment groups
- Time_of_day: observation time
- Bef_Aft: binary indicator of pre or post treatment period (0 = pre treatment; 1 = post treatment)
- Vid_duration: duration of video recorded (seconds)
- Grazing_d, Lying_d, Locomotion_d, Standing_d, Grooming_d, Vigilance_d: duration spent in each behaviour (seconds)
- Groom_head_fr, Groom_body_fr, Hopping_fr, Pentapedal_fr, Shake_ears_fr: frequencies of discrete behaviours (grooming head, grooming body, hopping, pentapedal walk, and shaking ears) during observation sessions
Missing data in all files are represented by the code NA
Code/software
All files are in csv format.