EFFECTS OF HUMAN IMPRINTING AND TAMING ON TRACTABILITY OF WILD TURKEYS USED FOR RESEARCH

Abstract: Imprinting wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) to humans facilitates their use as research subjects but can require a large time investment for the imprinting process. We evaluated three human‐imprinting regimes, differing in time investment, for producing tractable wild turkeys for laborat...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Kurt J. Haroldson, William M. Healy, Richard O. Kimmel, Michael R. Riggs
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 1995-01-01
Series:Wildlife Society Bulletin
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2328-5540.1995.tb00205.x
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Summary:Abstract: Imprinting wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) to humans facilitates their use as research subjects but can require a large time investment for the imprinting process. We evaluated three human‐imprinting regimes, differing in time investment, for producing tractable wild turkeys for laboratory studies. We also assessed the effects of imprinting and taming on physiological responses of wild turkeys to stress from laboratory equipment and the presence of humans. Minimal early human exposure (7 hrs) produced tractable laboratory subjects. Although it was not possible to completely eliminate stress from experimental procedures, imprinting and taming regimes minimized stress from experimental apparatus and handling.
ISSN:2328-5540