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Commercial crocodilian farms face significant economic and livestock losses attributed to stress, which may be linked to their adopted husbandry practices. The development of appropriate and modernized husbandry guidelines, particularly those focused on stress mitigation, is impeded by the limited understanding of the crocodilian stress response. Fifteen grower Nile crocodiles were subjected to simulated acute transport stress, with blood samples collected at various intervals post-stress. Plasma levels of corticosterone (CORT), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), adrenaline, and noradrenaline were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. Glucose and lactate were measured using portable meters and the heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (HLR) was determined via differential leucocyte counts. Significant differences were elicited after the stressor, with acute fluctuations observed in the fast-acting catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline) when compared to the baseline. Downstream effects of these catecholamines and CORT appear to be associated with a persistent increase in plasma glucose and HLR. Lactate also showed acute fluctuations over time but returned to the baseline by the final measurement. DHEA, which is used in a ratio with CORT, showed fluctuations over time with an inverted release pattern to the catecholamines. The study highlights the temporal dynamics of physiological markers under acute stress, contributing to our understanding of crocodilian stress and potentially informing improved farming practices for conservation and sustainable management.

Background: Designated psychiatric facilities are responsible for the care, treatment and reintegration of State patients. The necessary long-term care places a considerable strain on health-care resources. Resource use should be optimised while managing the risks that patients pose to themselves and the community. Identifying unique factors associated with earlier discharge may decrease the length of stay. Factors associated with protracted inpatient care without discharge could identify patients who require early and urgent intervention., Aim: We identify socio-economic, demographic, psychiatric and charge-related factors associated with the discharge of male State patients., Methods: We reviewed the files of discharged and admitted forensic State patients at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital. Data were captured in an electronic recording sheet. The association between factors and the outcome measure (discharged vs. admitted) was determined using chi-squared tests and Fischer's exact tests., Results: Discharged State patients were associated with being a primary caregiver ( p = 0.031) having good insight into illness ( p = 0.025) or offence ( p = 0.005) and having had multiple successful leaves of absences. A lack of substance abuse during admission ( p = 0.027), an absence of a diagnosis of substance use disorder ( p = 0.013) and the absence of verbal and physical aggression ( p = 0.002 and p = 0.016) were associated with being discharged. Prolonged total length of stay (9-12 years, p = 0.031) and prolonged length of stay in open wards (6-9 years, p = 0.000) were associated with being discharged. A history of previous offences ( p = 0.022), a diagnosis of substance use disorder ( p = 0.023), recent substance abuse ( p = 0.018) and a history of physical aggression since admission ( p = 0.017) were associated with continued admission., Conclusion: Discharge of State patients is associated with an absence of substance abuse, lack of aggression, multiple successful leave of absences and length of stay in hospital., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no financial or personal relationships which may have inappropriately influenced them in writing this article.