Efficacy of a Soft Release Strategy for Translocating Scaled Quail in the Rolling Plains of Texas

Ruzicka, Rebekah E.; Campbell, Kara B.; Downey, Michelle C.; Rollins, Dale; Kubečka, Bradley W.; Poole, Matthew; Ruthven, Donald C.

doi:10.7290/nqsp086qhv

Cited by 3 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…Longer release holding times decreased dispersal, which coincides with research in other disparate species such as lizards (Knox et al 2017, Miller et al 2019, small mammals (Bright and Morris 1994, Letty et al 2000, Matějů et al 2012, and wolves (Fritts et al 2001), and previous research comparing immediate to delayed release for scaled quail (Ruzicka et al 2017). Confining animals may allow them to become more familiar with environmental features of the release site and develop a preference for the site (Stamps and Swaisgood 2007).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

“…Mortality reported here was lower than a previous scaled quail translocation in the Rolling Plains ecoregion. Ruzicka et al (2017) observed mortality of 0.92 in sub‐adults and 0.78 in adults. Unlike Ruzicka et al (2017), we did not observe any differences between age classes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ruzicka et al (2017) observed mortality of 0.92 in sub‐adults and 0.78 in adults. Unlike Ruzicka et al (2017), we did not observe any differences between age classes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Past translocations of northern bobwhite have used immediate (Terhune et al 2005, Downey 2015) and delayed release ranging from 48 hours to 4 months (Stephenson et al 2011, Scott et al 2013). A 4‐week delayed release of scaled quail resulted in higher apparent survival compared to an immediately release group (Ruzicka et al 2017). Acevedo et al (2023) reported that holding Gambel's quail ( Callipepla gambelii ) prior to release reduced losses.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Longer holding times decrease dispersal but increase mortality of translocated scaled quail

Ruzicka,

Rollins,

Doherty

et al. 2023

J Wildl Manag

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Scaled quail (Callipepla squamata) decline caused by habitat loss and fragmentation increased interest in translocation to reestablish populations. Yet factors determining translocation success are poorly understood. We tested hypotheses concerning the influence of source population and variation in delayed release strategy (1–9 weeks) on mortality and dispersal of wild‐caught, translocated scaled quail. We trapped and translocated quail from 2016–2017 from source populations in the Edwards Plateau and Rolling Plains ecoregions to a large contiguous (>40,000 ha) release site in Knox County, Texas, USA. We evaluated mortality and dispersal of translocated females as a function of source population, holding time prior to release, age, release location, and year using a multi‐state mark‐recapture model with state uncertainty. Scaled quail translocated within the Rolling Plains were more likely to exhibit philopatry to the release site. Quail with longer holding times had higher mortality but lower dispersal rates. The Edwards Plateau is a suitable source site for translocation in the Rolling Plains. The reduced dispersal but higher mortality of translocated scaled quail associated with longer holding times creates a decision tradeoff for managers.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ruzicka et al (2017) observed mortality of 0.92 in sub‐adults and 0.78 in adults. Unlike Ruzicka et al (2017), we did not observe any differences between age classes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Longer holding times decrease dispersal but increase mortality of translocated scaled quail

Ruzicka,

Rollins,

Doherty

et al. 2023

J Wildl Manag

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“…We transported all bobwhites to the release site within 24 hours using a plastic quail carrier covered with a black sheet to reduce stress. Ruzicka et al (2017) reported a positive effect of delayed release on apparent daily survival (e.g., the probability that a bird survived and remained on site) in translocated scaled quail (Callipepla squamata). Social species benefit from delayed release through increased survival and site fidelity (Moseby et al 2014).…”

Section: Methods Translocationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Northern bobwhite subspecies exhibit reduced survival and reproduction when translocated outside their native range

et al. 2023

Self Cite

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The popularity of translocation as a conservation tool to reintroduce and re-stock existing populations of northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) to restored habitat has increased following decades-long decline; however, population sources are limited to a few areas in the United States where stable or increasing populations remain. Understanding how demographic parameters of translocated individuals vary by source region and subspecies will help increase the effectiveness of translocation as a recovery tool. Our objectives were to compare survival, movements, and reproduction of 2 translocated subspecies of bobwhite. We translocated 665 bobwhites (n = 253 northwest Texas [C. v. taylori]; n = 412 south Texas [C. v. texanus]) to an 890-ha site in northcentral Texas, USA, during March 2019-2021 and radio-marked 380 (n = 184 northwest Texas; n = 196 south Texas). The northwest subspecies is considered the subspecies native to the release site. Radio-marked bobwhites from south Texas were 1.25 times (95% CI = 0.98-1.60) more likely to die on the study site than individuals from northwest Texas. Home ranges (95% kernel density estimator) were larger for bobwhites sourced from northwest Texas (51 ha, 95% CI = 39-63 ha) compared to individuals from south Texas (32 ha, 95% CI = 22-42 ha).Individuals from northwest Texas were 1.5 times (95% CI = 1.10-1.80) more likely to leave the study site but 3.2 times (95% CI = 2.32-4.19) more likely to return to the study site after dispersing. Radio-marked bobwhites from

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Assessment of lesser prairie‐chicken translocation through survival and lek surveys

Teige,

Berigan,

Aulicky

et al. 2023

Wildlife Society Bulletin

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Translocation is a management tool used to restore or augment wildlife populations, but outcomes of translocations are often poorly documented and can have varying levels of success for improving wildlife population declines. The lesser prairie‐chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) is a prairie grouse endemic to the southern Great Plains. In response to declining abundance and distribution, in 2023 lesser prairie‐chickens were listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act in different states. Translocation is a potential management response to population declines when there is an availability of unoccupied habitats, but translocation efficacy has not been evaluated for lesser prairie‐chickens. We translocated 411 lesser prairie‐chickens seasonally from 2016‐2019 and monitored the translocated lesser prairie‐chicken population from 2017–2022. To assess translocation as a management tool for lesser prairie‐chickens, we estimated survival for 2017–2020 and conducted lek surveys during 2017–2022. Over a fifth (22.8%, n = 94) of translocated birds either died or went missing within the first 2 weeks following release. Survival rates of translocated birds during the breeding (0.44 ± 0.02 [SE]) and nonbreeding (0.55 ± 0.03 [SE]) seasons were relatively low compared to nontranslocated lesser prairie‐chickens in other studies (0.63–0.93 for breeding season; 0.43–0.87 for non‐breeding season). Twenty‐seven percent of translocated birds survived to the breeding season after release (i.e., >1 year). Translocated lesser prairie‐chickens initiated 28 lekking sites over the study period. We estimated 77% of males available >2 weeks post release participated in lekking activity. The number of leks and male high counts on leks in the study area increased after translocation, peaking one year post‐translocation (an overall increase of 250% and 340%, respectively). However, both the number of leks and male high counts decreased (48% and 39%, respectively) within 3 years after translocation cessation. Establishment of leks and increasing lek attendance directly following translocation initially suggested that translocation could be a viable management tool. However, survival rates after translocation and declining lek counts following translocation indicates that the increased population abundance and occupied range from this translocation effort may be unsustainable. Our results highlight the necessity of monitoring to determine outcomes of a large lesser prairie‐chicken translocation. Other management strategies, such as targeted grassland restoration and management in areas of greatest lesser prairie‐chicken density, could be more beneficial for conservation of lesser prairie‐chicken populations.

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Efficacy of a Soft Release Strategy for Translocating Scaled Quail in the Rolling Plains of Texas

Cited by 3 publications

References 0 publications

Longer holding times decrease dispersal but increase mortality of translocated scaled quail

Longer holding times decrease dispersal but increase mortality of translocated scaled quail

Northern bobwhite subspecies exhibit reduced survival and reproduction when translocated outside their native range

Assessment of lesser prairie‐chicken translocation through survival and lek surveys

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