Survival and Recruitment of Captive-Reared and Wild-Reared Takahe in Fiordland, New Zealand. Sobrevivencia y Reclutamineto del Takahe Obtenido en Cautiverio y en Condiciones Silvestres en Fiordland, Nueva Zelanda

Abstract

Captive rearing for release back into the wild is considered a useful management tool for endangered species because it can potentially increase the rate of recruitment by bypassing the early, high‐risk stages in an individual’s life history. In evaluating the benefits of captive rearing to conservation, it is important to monitor the survival rate of animals after release, to be sure that they have the skills necessary for survival in the wild. Using radio telemetry, we compared the movement and survival of captive‐reared Takahe ( Porphyrio mantelli), a large flightless rail endemic to New Zealand, to wild‐reared Takahe in the rugged mountains of Fiordland over a 5–year period. The results indicated that captive‐reared birds survived at least as well as wild‐reared birds. Survival of wild‐reared Takahe up to 1 year of age, which is prior to the release of captive‐reared birds, was poor over two winters marked by particularly cold temperatures, which made the benefits of captive rearing more pronounced. Differences in post‐release movements and habitat selection of the two groups did not have a detrimental effect on survival rate of captive‐reared birds. Although there was no difference in the survival rate of captive‐reared females versus males, eight out of nine (89%) surviving females have formed pairs since their release compared with only two of eight (25%) males. This unexpected result suggests there may be a shortage of females in the wild population. We conclude that captive rearing for release back into the wild increases the adult Takahe population in Fiordland.

Evaluating the Impact of Headstarting on the Critically Endangered Spoon-Billed Sandpiper Calidris pygmaea

“…Data comparison between projects is not easy because of differences in methods and situations between HS activities and the species' natural histories. Thus, not a complete clutch like in case of SbS, but only one egg of two was collected for the takahē project [8]. For the piping plover [13] and snowy plover [14], abandoned eggs and, for the latter species, also chicks were taken.…”

“…For the maleo, the protocol target was 40% in terms of reaching 30 days age [7]. For the takahē, 90% survival up to the age of 1 year has been reported with one-to fourfold improvement of the natural rate in different years [8]. All artificially hatched mangrove finches were fledged, a 2.9 higher rate than in nature [9].…”

“…A number of successful HS projects are known for reptiles [7], but there are far fewer examples amongst birds. However, HS has been used to increase productivity in the maleo (Macrocephalon maleo) [7], takahē (Porphyrio mantelli) [8], mangrove finch (Camarhynchus heliobates) [9], as well as of several species of waders, such as the American oystercatcher (Haematopus palliates) [10], black-tailed godwit (Limosa limosa) [11], black stilt (Himantopus novaezelandiae) [12], piping plover (Charadrius melodus) [13] and snowy plover (Ch. Nivosus) [14].…”

Carry‐over effects of nestling physical condition predict first‐year survival of a critically endangered migratory parrot

“…disease screening, veterinary treatment) is provided (Mason, 2010; Mason et al ., 2013). Understanding how these differences between captive and wild environments affect physical development and subsequent fitness is important for improving the efficacy of reintroduction efforts globally (Maxwell & Jamieson, 1997; Lindström, 1999; Araki, Cooper, & Blouin, 2009; Harrison et al ., 2011).…”

Post-release movements of captive-born European mink Mustela lutreola

“…The aim of pre-conditioning may be to induce development of specific behaviours, such as foraging (e.g. Soderquist & Serena 1994, Maxwell & Jamieson 1997, or simply to induce familiarity with the natural habitat and to encourage 'natural' behaviour (e.g. Beck 1991).…”