Evaluation of habitat use of a semi-captive population of Cuvier’s gazelles Gazella cuvieri following release in Boukornine National Park, Tunisia.

Acta Theriologica 50(3):405-415. DOI:10.1007/BF03192635.

Abstract:

Thirteen Cuvier’s gazelles were relocated to a 6-ha acclimatization enclosure in Boukornine National Park (Boukornine NP) in Tunisia, where they are part of a reintroduction project. To determine the degree of adaptation and habitat use under the new conditions, the acclimatization enclosure was divided into 6 sections according to topography, plant cover and plant species in the area. Signs of gazelle activity were coded as feeding site, paths, passages, feces and resting places. Sampling was done in spring, summer and autumn from September 2000 to July 2001. Multivariate analysis using PATN analysis and Χ2 distribution tests were used to analyze the data. Multivariate analysis yielded 5 groups of biotopes according to the above variables. The Χ2 distribution test showed the significant effect of each variable on the presence of signs of gazelles. Cuvier’s gazelles prefer areas with low and west to north facing slopes and scant plant cover; animals are attracted to the proximity of the fence as the limit of their territory and even though the presence of humans does not represent a disturbance, gazelles select areas far (> 50 m) from the supplementary feeding and water supply for their activities.

abaigar-biblio

The Swedish population of Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus – supplemented or re-introduced?

Ornis Svecia 20: 202-206.

Abstract:

We have investigated historical records of observations of Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus of the original Fennoscandian population in the area in Sweden where captive-reared goslings of the same species were released during 1981–1999. The release project has ear-lier been regarded as a re-introduction project. The data in this review include reports from many sources and we can  present  earlier  unpublished  observations  from  the area. The large number of observations of birds from the Fennoscandian population proves that the release of gos-lings in the actual area was a supplementation of a small but extant population and not a re-introduction.

andersson-biblio

Breeding success, dispersal, and long-term changes in a population of Eagle Owls Bubo bubo in southeastern Sweden 1952–1996.

Ornis Svecica 7(2): 49-60.

Abstract:

In 1950 when the Eagle Owl became legally protected in Sweden, the species was nearly extinct in most parts of the country and survived only with a small population in the southeastern part of the country, along the Baltic Sea coast. This population has been studied in 1952–1996. Recoveries of birds ringed in the study area demonstrated that dispersal was limited; post-fledging dispersal was on average 56.8 km in the first year of life. In birds older than one year the mean distance from the hatching site to the site of recovery was 47.7 km. The mean brood size in successful nests was 1.47 young. However, the mean reproductive success calculated for all occupied territories was only 0.68 young per pair and year. Among all pairs, 43.7% bred successfully and 24.7% failed. Thus, each year 31.6% of the pairs stayed in the territory without breeding. For an extended part of this long term study, reproduction seems to have been just enough to maintain a stable population size in the study area. Only in the years 1986–90, there seemed to be a surplus of young produced in the study population resulting in new breeding pairs, predominantly outside the old study area. From a national project with captive breeding, 2,759 young Eagle Owls have been released in nearly all parts of Sweden. Around 1982, the number of pairs originating from the released birds was in equilibrium with the original "wild" population, and in 1995 the released birds and their descendants were about twice as many. In recent years probably many pairs are of mixed origin, and the mixing of the two populations is likely to increase in the future. In total, there were about 400 territories occupied by Eagle Owls in Sweden in 1996.

olsson-biblio

West Indian iguana Cyclura spp. reintroduction and recovery programmes: zoo support and involvement.

International Zoo Yearbook 49: 49-55.

Abstract:

Many West Indian rock iguanas Cyclura spp comprise small restricted island populations that are threatened by habitat conversion and degradation, free-ranging domestic animals and invasive species. In the 1980s, concerted conservation efforts were initiated for Caribbean iguanas, using a combination of captive-breeding programmes and head-starting of wild-collected hatchlings for reintroduction, and habitat protection. Zoological facilities have been involved in the conservation efforts from the start, providing expertise, resources and extensive funding for various aspects of the conservation programmes, and by providing space to house ex situ groups of iguanas as assurance populations. Health assessments of wild and captive iguanas, and databases related to the biology and health of the species have benefited not only the wild populations but also those being bred and maintained in captivity. Data compilation and analysis through the use of population-management software have made it possible to manage the genetic diversity of the individuals being captive bred for release. The involvement of zoological facilities has been fundamental to the efforts that have gone into bringing the Grand Cayman blue iguana Cyclura lewisi and the Jamaican iguana Cyclura collei back from the brink of extinction. A review of the conservation efforts for West Indian iguanas, including the role played by zoos, is presented.

grant-biblio

Reintroduced Chinese Alligators Now Multiplying In The Wild In China.

ScienceDaily, 18 July 2009.

Volltext: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090714124949.htm

Zusammenfassung:

The Wildlife Conservation Society announced today that critically endangered alligators in China have a new chance for survival. The WCS's Bronx Zoo, in partnership with two other North American parks and the Department of Wildlife Conservation and Management of the State Forestry Administration of China, has successfully reintroduced alligators into the wild that are now multiplying on their own.

wcs-biblio

Radiated Tortoise SAFE Program Plan.

22  Seiten.

Volltext (PDF)

Auszug:

AZA institutions that participated in Radiated Tortoise conservation in 2015 and 2016 focused their efforts on raising awareness, capacity building/training, assurance populations, reintroduction, population management, behavior/ethology, anti-poaching/patrolling, disaster emergency response and animal health. The AZA institutions included in the 2015 and 2016 ARCS database spent a total of $200,645 on 11 projects for the Radiated Tortoise over those two years.

aza-biblio

Conservation and restoration of the Allis shad in the Gironde and Rhine watersheds.

LIFE Project Number LIFE09 NAT/DE/000008, Final Report covering the project activities from 01/01/2011 to 31/12/2015.
96 Seiten

Auszug:

5.2.1.7. Action D.7 Aquarium exhibition in La Rochelle Aquarium, France and the Aquazoo-Löbbecke Museum, Germany

The allis shad exposition in the Aquarium La Rochelle was launched in 2011. A loss of the old adults exposed there in 2013 was compensated by taking three year old specimens from the ex situ stock in the Aquarium la Rochelle that were exposed in a big Aquarium together with other Clupeid fishes in an own thematic section dealing with migratory fish. A new information panel was installed on this occasion which gives reference to the Life+ project. Many hundred thousand visitors have seen the allis shad exposition in La Rochelle and are well informed about the conservation needs for allis shad and the Life+ projects objectives to ensure that. It is intended to continue the exposition in the After-LIFE-time and the natural death of exposed fish, respectively, unless juveniles can be obtained from the hatchery on Bruch. The Aquarium La Rochelle will together with other branches of the Life+ project also contribute to the World Fish Migration Day in 2016.

A second allis shad exhibition in the Aquazoo-Löbbecke Museum in Düsseldorf was officially inaugurated in May 2013. A press conference was held on that occasion and yielded regional TV-reports and articles in newspapers and online media. The Aquazoo offered one of its most exposed Aquariums with a volume of 10 m3 for the exhibition in which 33 one year old allis shad from the Aßlar ex situ facility together with three sturgeons were presented. As in the Aquarium La Rochelle panels informed about the increasing endangerment of the allis shad, its former relevance along the Rhine and the background and the aims of the Life+ project. Unfortunately the Aquazoo was closed in November 2013 for structural restoration and renovation works (which are still not finalized) and the Aquazoo was closed for the public. As all other exposed animals also the allis shad exposition must be reversed. The shads and the sturgeons were brought back to the Aßlar facility in late November. Before that 233,000 visitors have seen the exhibition. Some of them and interested people from all over Europe visited the Aquazoo only in order to see and to take photos of the allis shad.$

lanuv-biblio

Revisiting the reintroduced Eurasian lynx population in Kampinos National Park, Poland.

The European Zoological Journal 88(1): 966-979. https://doi.org/10.1080/24750263.2021.1968046

Abstract:

In the past centuries, many of the Eurasian lynx populations declined and finally disappeared. In Poland, only two populations survived until the 20th century. In the 90s a new population was reintroduced in central Poland but presently, its fate is considered uncertain. While the recurring observations of lynx in the area confirm its presence, they are insufficient to evaluate the state of this population. Therefore, using a population viability model and the reintroduction program data, we analyzed the ambiguities in the vital rates assessments to find the most likely scenario for the development of the population since its reintroduction. Finally, we modeled different options to improve the survival chances of this one and possibly other small populations. Estimated parameters result in a declining population. In the majority of the simulations, lynx populations go extinct within 20 years. This can be improved by reintroduction or natural immigration of new individuals every 4 years, but only if the new individuals arrive within a short period of time after the initial reintroduction. Also, longer time intervals are insufficient to elevate the median time to extinction beyond 50 years. Separately, moderate changes in reproduction or survival rates have only a marginal effect on the population’s survival. Decreasing only the impact of mortality would increase this population’s persistence time, but not ensure its long-term survival. However, decreased mortality in combination with immigration should result in much more successful population development. With higher longevity and release every 4 years the population is more successful even if the new individuals start entering the population up to 20 years later. Even less frequent immigration combined with enhanced longevity still improves survival. Combined adjustment of individuals to their environment and regular immigration provide the best chances of long-term survival. One or both of those factors could explain why lynx is still present in the area.

franz-biblio 

Method of releasing and number of animals are determinants for the success of European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus) reintroductions.

Eur. J. Wildl. Res. 58: 473–482. DOI 10.1007/s10344-011-0597-8

Abstract :

Reintroductions are considered an important part of the action plans and recovery strategies of endangered ground squirrel species, but so far little is known about their proper methodology. We collected primary data on 12 European ground squirrel reintroduction projects carried out at 14 localities in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland since 1989. We focused on seven methodological aspects of each reintroduction: selection of release site, method of releasing, date of releasing, origin of released animals, total number of released animals, mean number of released animals per season and reintroduction site management. The method of releasing was found to be the key factor in determining the settlement of animals at the target locality. Only soft releasing methods, i.e. the use of enclosures and/or artificial burrows, ensure that animals remain at the target locality. The other factors significantly determining reintroduction success are the number of released animals per season (at least 23 animals required) and the total number of released animals (a minimum of 60 individuals). Long-term management of the site and regular monitoring of the newly established population are necessary. Our recommendations, based on experience with the successes and failures of previous reintroductions, could largely improve the efficiency of future reintroductions of highly endangered species.

mateju-biblio

Social organization and demography of reintroduced Dorcas gazelle (Gazella dorcas neglecta) in North Ferlo Fauna Reserve, Senegal.

Mammalia 80(6): 593-600. https://doi.org/10.1515/mammalia-2015-0017

Abstract:

As part of a reintroduction project in Senegal, 23 (9.14) captive-born Dorcas gazelles were released into a 440-ha fenced-in area in Katané (North Ferlo Fauna Reserve, Senegal) in March 2009. After 4 years of seasonal monitoring, the gazelles showed progressive adaptation of their behavior to semi-wild living conditions. Breeding gradually became seasonal, and 53.8% of births occurred during the rainy season (July to September). Gazelle group size and composition varied seasonally. Groups were smallest during the dry season (2.29±1.72) and largest at the beginning of the rainy season (4.18±2.73). Social group composition also showed seasonal variation. There were always a larger proportion of solitary males than solitary females and mixed couples were observed throughout the year. All-male groups were found the least. The proportion of adult females with subadults and juveniles decreased during the early rainy season, while mixed adults, subadults and juveniles groups increased during this period. The mortality rate during the first weeks after release was 13%. Four years of monitoring after release, demographic traits of this released population reveal its adaptation from captive to natural-living conditions.

abaigar-biblio