Translocation and Reintroduction
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Posted by Dawn M. Smith Dec 24, 2007 |
Translocation is the capture, movement and release of wildlife from one location to another.
Reintroduction, a specific type of translocation, is the movement of animals back into an area they once inhabited.
Reintroduction can be used:
- To create separate populations of endangered species, improving the species’ chance for survival
- To repatriate species which have been confiscated from illegal trade
- To repopulate areas where heavy poaching has removed many, or even all, of the important species originally found there.
Reintroduction of endangered species tends to be controversial because the results have been mixed. A 1989 US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) report states that:
“The least successful translocations involved short-term releases of small numbers of captive-reared threatened or endangered species on the periphery or outside of historical ranges, in areas of low quality habitat quality where physically similar competitors are present.”
There are at least 5 variables (number of animals, captive rearing, historic presence, habitat quality and competition) listed here that could have an effect on the success of the translocation. Do each of the variable affect success equally or are some more critical than others? To me it seems illogical to move endangered animals into marginal habitat. Removal of just that one variable might create significantly different results.
Another type of translocation involves moving species to mitigate human-animal conflict issues. This is probably the most controversial as it does often result in merely relocating the problem. Careful selection of translocation sites may prevent further conflict.
While some types of translocation have earned a permanent place in wildlife conservation, in general, movement of animals needs to be carefully considered to ensure that the best interests of the individual animals and the species are being protected.