phaidra.vetmeduni.ac.at o:5402 DOI 10.1016/j.gecco.2026.e04130 Tourism infrastructure and physiological stress in free-ranging impalas (Aepyceros melampus) of Serengeti National Park In the developing world, many protected areas (PAs) rely on tourism as a viable source of financial resources for conservation. However, the drive to maximise revenue has led to an increase in tourist numbers and infrastructure developments that often exceed ecological capacity, creating challenges for biodiversity and wildlife populations. To evaluate potential physiological impacts of tourism infrastructure and environmental factors, we measured faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGMs), an established indicator of stress in animals, using a validated enzyme immunoassay (EIA). We analysed FGMs from 213 impala (Aepyceros melampus) faecal samples collected in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, between January and February 2025. Our results showed that impalas near lodges exhibited significantly higher FGM levels even without tourist occupancy (i.e., infrastructure), than those near permanent tented camps or seasonal campsites. These findings suggest that large-scale tourism infrastructure is associated with elevated stress in impalas. Future research should focus on identifying the specific features of large tourist facilities that drive physiological stress in wildlife, to better inform tourism development and conservation strategies in PAs.Accommodation facilities eng Accommodation Facilities Conservation Faecal Cortisol Metabolites Protected Areas Sustainable Management Tanzania 2026-08-07T08:15:51.996Z LOMv1.0 Author BEGIN:VCARD VERSION:3.0 N:Kessy;Beatrice Modest; FN:Beatrice Modest Kessy X-ORCID:https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3442-121X END:VCARD BEGIN:VCARD VERSION:3.0 N:Arukwe;Augustine; FN:Augustine Arukwe END:VCARD BEGIN:VCARD VERSION:3.0 N:Mbise;Franco Peniel; FN:Franco Peniel Mbise END:VCARD BEGIN:VCARD VERSION:3.0 N:Hariohay;Kwaslema Malle; FN:Kwaslema Malle Hariohay END:VCARD BEGIN:VCARD VERSION:3.0 N:Palme;Rupert; FN:Rupert Palme X-ORCID:https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9466-3662 END:VCARD BEGIN:VCARD VERSION:3.0 N:Røskaft;Eivin; FN:Eivin Røskaft END:VCARD BEGIN:VCARD VERSION:3.0 N:Ranke;Peter Sjolte; FN:Peter Sjolte Ranke END:VCARD https://w3id.org/kim/hcrt/scheme https://w3id.org/kim/hcrt/text Textdokument Text LOMv1.0 yes https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 application/pdf 1015642 https://phaidra.vetmeduni.ac.at/o:5402 https://phaidra.vetmeduni.ac.at/api/object/o:5402/thumbnail LOMv1.0 discipline