Microhabitat Selection Drives Tick Avoidance in Giant Pandas During Semi-Wild Adaptation Training: Implications for Conservation Management

Managing endangered wildlife in pre-release or semi-wild training programs requires an understanding of how animals balance strict energetic constraints against environmental health risks. We investigated the behavioral and spatial coping mechanisms of giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) during semi-wild adaptation training exposed to intense seasonal tick (Ixodes ovatus) parasitism. Integrating high-resolution 3D-GPS telemetry, fine-scale microhabitat architecture mapping, and longitudinal daily tick counts, we evaluated the relative efficacy of behavioral hypoactivity versus microhabitat selection using Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE). During the high-risk summer season, individuals exhibited pronounced baseline behavioral suppression. However, GEE models revealed that fine-scale microhabitat selection—rather than localized movement reduction—was the primary determinant of parasite avoidance. Actively shifting to higher-elevation microhabitats with minimal leaf litter and dense bamboo coverage significantly minimized daily tick burdens. Conversely, remaining sedentary within low-elevation, thick-litter zones yielded the highest predicted parasite loads. These findings demonstrate that physical stillness alone is insufficient to mitigate ectoparasite exposure without access to structural habitat refugia. For conservation and reintroduction programs, providing structurally complex, topographically heterogeneous enclosures is essential. Ensuring access to natural altitudinal gradients empowers managed herbivores to autonomously regulate parasitological risks, thereby enhancing pre-release animal welfare and health.