Giraffe, Blue wildebeest, Zebra, and Impala : faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fGCMs) data from Somabula Nature Reserve

<p dir="ltr">This dataset derives from a study investigating the physiological impacts of wildlife tourism on multiple ungulate species within a small South African nature reserve. The research focused on non-invasive assessment of stress responses by quantifying faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fGCMs) in four commonly encountered species: Impala (Aepyceros melampus), Zebra (Equus quagga), Blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus), and Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis). A total of 533 faecal samples were collected across wet and dry seasons and analysed using established species-specific enzyme immunoassays. The dataset includes information on species, sex, season, tourist activity levels, and corresponding fGCM concentrations. The results provide a comparative, multispecies perspective on how ecological conditions and tourism pressure interact to influence endocrine stress markers. By highlighting species-specific sensitivities, the dataset contributes to developing evidence-based strategies for managing the welfare of wildlife in tourism settings. This dataset is suitable for researchers interested in conservation physiology, wildlife tourism impacts, stress endocrinology, and multispecies approaches to ecological and welfare assessments.</p>