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Under pressure: personality, behavioural and physiological responses to handling in captive Addax nasomaculatus antelopes

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Animal personality refers to consistent behavioural differences among individuals across time and contexts. Knowledge of personality in ruminants, particularly non-domesticated species, remains limited. The study aimed to assess personality in a herd of Addax nasomaculatus antelopes (n = 25) living in a zoo, via a questionnaire, and to examine its relationship with handling responses under captive conditions. Personality was assessed using a 20-item questionnaire rated by observers across three contexts (Feeding, Neutral and Handling). Handling responses were measured via surface temperature, feeding and locomotor behaviour (pre- and post-handling), exit velocity and faecal cortisol metabolites. Data were analysed using exploratory factor analysis and linear mixed models. Four personality dimensions were identified: ‘Active/Unpredictable’, ‘Aggressive/Excitable’, ‘Bully’ and ‘Confident’. These traits were associated with distinct handling responses, indicating consistent interindividual variation in stress responses. Specifically, individuals scoring higher in ‘Aggressive/Excitable’ showed higher exit velocity and lower surface temperature, whereas those scoring higher in ‘Active/Unpredictable’ and ‘Bully’ showed lower exit velocity, higher surface temperature and increased grazing after handling. No association was found between personality and faecal cortisol metabolites. These findings expand the limited knowledge on non-domestic ruminants and have implications for improving captive management and conservation programmes.

Source: Royal Society Open Science

DOI: 10.1098/rsos.260738