Wildlife researchers face the challenge of capturing and handling animals for data collection while minimizing stress impacts on their results.
A study on juvenile northern elephant seals showed a moderate stress response from handling, with temporary hormonal changes and slight alterations in blood parameters, but indicators of stress returned to normal quickly.
The seals were successfully resighted in the wild after translocation, demonstrating that while handling induces short-term physiological stress, it does not cause long-term harm, making them suitable for research.