The natural habitat of lions is increasingly threatened. Some are forced to live in reserve, in small spaces, with other animals. Oxytocin or the happiness hormone could help reduce conflicts between animals and contribute to animal well-being.
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Researchers have exposed lions to theoxytocinI’hormone of love, via sprays on the nose for several years. The results are interesting: the relationships between wild animals have become friendlier. For example, lions usually roar in the presence of other animals they don’t know. This was much less the case after oxytocin treatment. This work was published in the journal iScience of the Cell group on March 30, 2022. Due to the expansion of cities and the reduction of their natural living space, lions are forced to live on smaller areas in reserves. This discovery could contribute to their preservation in these reduced habitats.
Lions live in groups
Lions are social animals, who are already used to living in groups. Which is not the case for all savannah animals. Leopards and cheetahs are on the contrary very solitary. This is why this animal was chosen to test for oxytocin. This is the hormone of love and attachment. That molecule is produced by thehypothalamus. It is particularly present in the mother during the meeting with her baby or at the start of a romantic relationship. Oxytocin is called the love hormone and also the happiness hormone because it triggers an intense feeling of well-being.
Oxytocin administered to groups of lions in South Africa
The experiment took place in South Africa. A total of 23 lions were included in the study (9 males and 14 females). The lions were lured with pieces of meat. Oxytocin or saline solution (control) was sprayed directly on the nose animals using a spray. Three types of experiments were then carried out.
In the first experiment, lions were exposed to their favorite toy after receiving oxytocin or a placebo. This allows you to test attachment. Animals that received the treatment kept a closer distance from others than those that did not receive the treatment (3.5 meters versus 7 meters).
In the second experiment, recordings of roars were heard by the Lions immediately after administration of the treatment or placebo. This is used to test alertness. While the former remained calm, the latter roared.
In the third experiment, the animals were exposed to food. This is used to test tolerance. No significant difference could be demonstrated.
Although the preservation of their natural habitat remains the priority, the knowledge of treatments allowing lions to adapt to more restricted living spaces is interesting. The authors point out that oxytocin could also be used to release animals by making them less fearful.
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