Effect of Changes in Behaviour on the Heart Rate and its Diurnal Variation in a Male and a Female Eland (Taurotragus oryx)

Heart rate (HR) is related to the physiological state of most of vertebrates, e.g. the level of metabolism, motion or stress. In previous reports, the HR of eland was measured during sedation and general anaesthesia. Therefore, we wanted to evaluate HR in alert eland with emphasis on variations by different behaviours and time of the day. We measured HR by Polar S610 device in an adult male and an adult female. Behaviour during recumbent and rumination, standing and rumination, standing, standing and eating, movement, excitement during feeding, stressful event, handling in restraint box and sleep were recorded and synchronised with data from HR device. In the male, HR was lowest during recumbency and rumination. In the female, HR was lowest during sleep. The highest HR was measured during handling in a restraint box. The HR was higher during the night for most of the behaviours. Further research should focus on explaining the diurnal variation in HR as it relates to specific behaviour.