Sammendrag
While capture-mark-recapture studies provide essential individual-level data in ecology, repeated
captures and handling may impact animal welfare and cause scientifc bias. Evaluating the
consequences of invasive methodologies should be an integral part of any study involving capture
of live animals. We investigated short- and long-term stress responses to repeated captures within a
winter on the physiology, behaviour, and reproductive success of female Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer
tarandus platyrhynchus). Short-term responses were evaluated using serum concentrations of
glucocorticoids and catecholamines during handling, and post-release recovery times in heart rate and
activity levels. Repeated captures were associated with an increase in measured catecholamines and
glucocorticoids, except cortisone, and delayed recovery in heart rate but not activity. Four months
later, in summer, individuals captured repeatedly in winter exhibited a small increase in behavioural
response to human disturbance and had a lower probability of being observed with a calf, compared
to animals not captured, or captured only once. Our fndings imply that single annual capture events
have no signifcant negative consequences for Svalbard reindeer, but repeated captures within a
season may impact ofspring survival in the same year. Such unanticipated side efects highlight the
importance of addressing multiple indicators of animal responses to repeated captures
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