Translocation as a Species Conservation Tool: Status and Strategy

Abstract

Surveys of recent (1973 to 1986) intentional releases of native birds and mammals to the wild in Australia, Canada, Hawaii, New Zealand, and the United States were conducted to document current activities, identify factors associated with success, and suggest guidelines for enhancing future work. Nearly 700 translocations were conducted each year. Native game species constituted 90 percent of translocations and were more successful (86 percent) than were translocations of threatened, endangered, or sensitive species (46 percent). Knowledge of habitat quality, location of release area within the species range, number of animals released, program length, and reproductive traits allowed correct classification of 81 percent of observed translocations as successful or not.

Hunting performance of captive-born South China tigers (Panthera tigris amoyensis) on free-ranging prey and implications for their reintroduction

“…However, the use of wild-caught individuals is generally preferred (Breitenmoser et al, 2001;Christie, 2009;Jule et al, 2008), as reintroductions using captive animals are less likely to be successful (Fischer and Lindenmayer, 2000;Griffith et al, 1989;Jule et al, 2008;Mathews et al, 2005;Wolf et al, 1996). Nonetheless, for the South China tiger  as for an increasing number of other taxa (Jule et al, 2008;Macdonald, 2009;Wilson and Stanley Price, 1994)  the only animals available for reintroduction are from captivity (Tilson et al, 2004;Tilson et al, 2010).…”

Walking with lions: why there is no role for captive-origin lions Panthera leo in species restoration

“…Restoration efforts across a wide variety of taxa using wild-caught individuals are typically more successful than those using captive animals (75% vs 38%, Griffith et al, 1989;71% vs 49%, Wolf et al, 1996;31% vs 13%, Fischer & Lindenmayer, 2000). This is particularly true for large carnivores, especially those with complex social dynamics such as lions, in which captives are poorly equipped for survival compared to their wild counterparts (Breitenmoser et al, 2001;Jule et al, 2008;Clark, 2009).…”

Moss is a key nurse plant for reintroduction of the endangered herb, Primulina tabacum Hance

“…Successful reintroduction requires knowledge about the taxonomy, reproductive biology, demography, horticulture, and ecology of the reintroduced species (Kleiman 1989;IUCN 1998;SER 2002;Armstrong and Seddon 2007;Godefroid and Vanderborght 2009). Although there are some success stories, most reintroduction attempts have failed, and the causes remain unknown (Griffith et al 1989;Maschinski and Wright 2006;Maschinski and Duquesnel 2006;Gibbs et al 2007). In ''Global Strategy for Plant Conservation,'' Target 8 was ex situ conservation and recovery plans for threatened and endangered species to reintroduce about 10% of endangered plants to wild habitats (BGCI 2003).…”