Can translocations be used to mitigate human - wildlife conflicts?

Abstract

Growing public concerns about lethal methods to mitigate human–wildlife conflicts place increasing constraints on wildlife management options. Translocations, perceived as humane and non-lethal solutions, are increasingly advocated to resolve these conflicts. The present study summarises the literature on translocations of wild mammals, with particular emphasis on ‘problem’ animals, reviews the impact of translocations on survival, behaviour, animal welfare and potential spread of diseases, and evaluates the feasibility and effectiveness of translocations to mitigate human–wildlife conflicts. Translocations may have a detrimental impact on survival rates and lead to extreme dispersal movements. In some species, stress-related capture results in substantial mortality. In other species, homing causes animals to leave the release area. In addition, some animals resume the nuisance behaviour at the release site. Individuals that survive a translocation may suffer from malnutrition, dehydration, decreased immunocompetence and predation. Supportive measures such as acclimatisation pens and provision of food and shelter can drastically reduce post-release dispersal movements and mortality, although the adoption of these measures increases the cost of translocation. Translocations have the potential to spread diseases to conspecifics, humans, domestic animals and livestock. Health surveillance, seldom implemented, is likely to add significantly to the cost of translocation. Very few studies have reported the costs of translocations or addressed which stakeholders are expected to pay for translocating problem animals. Alternative management options are rarely mentioned. Despite the perceived humaneness of translocations to mitigate human–wildlife conflicts, the fate of translocated animals has been rarely monitored. In addition, very few studies have mentioned whether and for how long the conflict was resolved. We suggest that determining whether the translocation leads to the resolution of the problem should be the main criterion to evaluate the success of the translocation of problem animals. We propose a list of criteria to assist decisions regarding the suitability, effectiveness and humaneness of translocations to manage problems posed by wild mammals.

Fertility control to mitigate human–wildlife conflicts: a review

“…Daszak et al 2000;Massei et al 2010a). Conversely, fertility control is increasingly advocated as a safe, humane and effective meansEarly fertility-control agents lacked species-specificity, induced only transitory sterility, thus requiring repeated application, or had a limited window between the dose required to achieve sterility and the toxic or lethal dose.…”

Evaluation of a Conflict-Related Brown Hyaena Translocation in Central Namibia

“…Skinner & van Aarde (1987) recorded first range data for three translocated brown hyaenas (Hyaena brunnea) in South Africa. Their work suggested that individuals are capable of adjusting to unfamiliar environments and establishing themselves for prolonged periods without causing conflict (despite visiting human habitation), thus fulfilling some of the criteria regarded as important to achieve translocation success (Linnell et al, 1997;Massei et al, 2010). In addition, Hayward et al (2007b) report mixed results for reintroductions of the species into the Eastern Cape of South Africa and our current understanding of brown hyaena translocations is limited to these studies.…”

“…Stander, //au, | ui, Dabe & Dabe, 1997;van der Meulen, 1977;Weilenmann, Gusset, Mills, Gabanapelo & Schiess-Meier, 2010). Although only few structured studies have been carried out to document the outcomes of these actions, translocation of conflict predators is generally viewed with scepticism because it is largely unsuccessful (Fontúrbel & Simonetti, 2011;Linnell, Aanes, Swenson, Odden & Smith, 1997;Massei, Roger, Quy, Gurney & Cowan, 2010). The necessity and value of rigorous post-release monitoring to improve conservation management and elucidate translocation biology have been emphasized (e.g.…”

Focusing Ecological Research for Conservation

“…Because relocated 'problem animals' such as large predators or megaherbivores can home into their original ranges (Massei et al 2010), insights into travel distances and movement choices can result in effective relocation, preventing conflict reoccurrence at the site of origin, as well as along the return paths.…”