Mammals show faster recovery from capture and tagging in human-disturbed landscapes
Authors: Stiegler Jonas , Gallagher Cara A. , Hering Robert , Müller Thomas , Tucker Marlee , Apollonio Marco , Arnold Janosch , Barker Nancy A. , Barthel Leon , Bassano Bruno , Beest Floris M. van , Belant Jerrold L. , Berger Anne , Beyer Jr Dean E. , Bidner Laura R. , Blake Stephen , Börner Konstantin , Brivio Francesca , Brogi Rudy , Buuveibaatar Bayarbaatar , Cagnacci Francesca , Dekker Jasja , Dentinger Jane , Duľa Martin , Duquette Jarred F. , Eccard Jana A. , Evans Meaghan N. , Ferguson Adam W. , Fichtel Claudia , Ford Adam T. , Fowler Nicholas L. , Gehr Benedikt , Getz Wayne M. , Goheen Jacob R. , Goossens Benoit , Grignolio Stefano , Haugaard Lars , Hauptfleisch Morgan , Heim Morten , Heurich Marco , Hewison Mark A. J. , Isbell Lynne A. , Janssen René , Jarnemo Anders , Jeltsch Florian , Miloš Jezek , Kaczensky Petra , Kamiński Tomasz , Kappeler Peter , Kasper Katharina , Kautz Todd M. , Kimmig Sophia , Kjellander Petter , Kowalczyk Rafał , Kramer-Schadt Stephanie , Kröschel Max , Krop-Benesch Anette , Linderoth Peter , Lobas Christoph , Lokeny Peter , Lührs Mia-Lana , Matsushima Stephanie S. , McDonough Molly M. , Melzheimer Jörg , Morellet Nicolas , Ngatia Dedan K. , Obermair Leopold , Olson Kirk A. , Patanant Kidan C. , Payne John C. , Petroelje Tyler R. , Pina Manuel , Piqué Josep , Premier Joseph , Pufelski Jan , Pyritz Lennart , Ramanzin Maurizio , Roeleke Manuel , Rolandsen Christer M. , Saïd Sonia , Sandfort Robin , Schmidt Krzysztof , Schmidt Niels M. , Scholz Carolin , Schubert Nadine , Selva Nuria , Sergiel Agnieszka , Serieys Laurel E. K. , Silovský Václav , Slotow Rob , Sönnichsen Leif , Solberg Erling J. , Stelvig Mikkel , Street Garrett M. , Sunde Peter , Svoboda Nathan J. , Thaker Maria , Tomowski Maxi , Ullmann Wiebke , Vanak Abi T. , Wachter Bettina , Webb Stephen L. , Wilmers Christopher C. , Zieba Filip , Zwijacz-Kozica Tomasz , Blaum Niels 
Published: September 2024

Wildlife tagging provides critical insights into animal movement ecology, physiology, and behavior amid global ecosystem changes. However, the stress induced by capture, handling, and tagging can impact post-release locomotion and activity and, consequently, the interpretation of study results. Here, we analyze post-tagging effects on 1585 individuals of 42 terrestrial mammal species using collar-collected GPS and accelerometer data. Species-specific displacements and overall dynamic body acceleration, as a proxy for activity, were assessed over 20 days post-release to quantify disturbance intensity, recovery duration, and speed. Differences were evaluated, considering species-specific traits and the human footprint of the study region. Over 70% of the analyzed species exhibited significant behavioral changes following collaring events. Herbivores traveled farther with variable activity reactions, while omnivores and carnivores were initially less active and mobile. Recovery duration proved brief, with alterations diminishing within 4–7 tracking days for most species. Herbivores, particularly males, showed quicker displacement recovery (4 days) but slower activity recovery (7 days). Individuals in high human footprint areas displayed faster recovery, indicating adaptation to human disturbance. Our findings emphasize the necessity of extending tracking periods beyond 1 week and particular caution in remote study areas or herbivore-focused research, specifically in smaller mammals.