Post-defecation stability of fecal cortisol concentrations in Leopardus pardalis and L. wiedii under human care in the humid tropics of Mexico
This study demonstrates that fecal cortisol concentrations in captive ocelots and margays in the humid tropics of Mexico remain stable for up to 24 hours post-defecation, validating fecal cortisol as a reliable biomarker for assessing stress in these Neotropical felids under such environmental conditions.