Stress physiological responses to tourist pressure in a wild population of European pine marten

The tourist pressure in natural parks is a potential source of stress and may cause an increase in the adrenal activity of wild populations of European pine marten (Martes martes). Seventy-six faecal samples were collected during 15 months in a natural park of Northwest Spain. Analysis of faecal DNA was used for the specific identification using the PCR-RFLPs technique. Faecal steroid determinations were performed by EIA. Natural park was divided in three areas: free entry, restricted area, and integral reservation, and number of daily human visitors recorded. Faecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels (ng/g dry faeces) were significantly higher in spring (56.36 +/- 19.62) and summer (31.27 +/- 11.98) compared to autumn (15.33 +/- 6.89) and winter (11. 13 +/- 3.30). These data are closely related to daily number of visitors (spring: 3204, summer: 1672, winter: 646, autumn: 55 1). Androgen, progestin and oestrogen levels were also significantly higher in spring (reproductive season) showing values of 43.62 +/- 18.6, 154.31 +/- 53.50 and 829.62 +/- 456. 1, respectively. Glucocorticoid levels were significantly lower in integral reservation (15.95 +/- 3.56) compared to restricted (31.4 +/- 16.30) and free entry areas (41.59 +/- 12.73), respectively. Wild populations of European pine marten showed stress physiological response induced by the tourist pressure and this response is higher during reproductive season. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.