Demographic estimates to assess the translocation of a threatened New Zealand amphibian

Cisternas, Javiera; Easton, Luke J.; Germano, Jennifer M.; Bishop, Phillip J.

doi:10.1071/wr21066

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…Longer-term this trend meant that L. hamiltoni moved downhill from the release site potentially towards increased moisture levels. Downhill movements were also observed in Leiopelmatid translocations at Boat Bay (Dewhurst 2003) and Pukeokahu (Cisternas at al. 2022).…”

Section: Post Release Movements and The Impacts Of Familiaritymentioning

confidence: 85%

Responses at the source and release site following an inter-island translocation of Leiopelma hamiltoni

Germano,

Wren,

Webster

et al. 2023

NZJE

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The use of translocations for conservation management has increased in frequency over recent decades. Though many early translocations were carried out as one-off management exercises, the need to test release strategies and gain knowledge in order to improve future reintroductions has been recognised. This study examined both the movements and survival of 101 Leiopelma hamiltoni (Anura: Leiopelmatidae) translocated to Long Island, New Zealand, and the response of the source population on Te Pākeka/Maud Island to the removal of a discrete subset of frogs. An experimental approach was taken to test whether familiarity would improve anchoring to the site and discourage homing and dispersal post translocation. Frogs translocated with their neighbours did not stay with those individuals and those that were released in a random pattern did not move towards their former Maud Island neighbours. While initial movements were significantly oriented to the bearing of Maud Island, after several months this had changed to indicate that the frogs moved in a downhill direction. Capture-recapture abundance estimates suggest a decline in the population of translocated frogs during the 46 months post-release and follow up surveys 10-13 years post-release confirm that this translocation failed. Capture-recapture abundance estimates suggest that the 240 m 2 grid emptied of frogs (i.e. the source population) took one year to return to pre-translocation densities. There is little doubt that translocations will continue to be an important tool for the conservation management of leiopelmatid frogs in New Zealand and for amphibians worldwide. However, a commitment to post-release monitoring, use of methods that allow for causes of failure to be assessed, and testing release strategies is imperative to informing methods and improving the success rates of future translocations.

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Section: Post Release Movements and The Impacts Of Familiaritymentioning

confidence: 85%

Responses at the source and release site following an inter-island translocation of Leiopelma hamiltoni

Germano,

Wren,

Webster

et al. 2023

NZJE

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“…Photo ID has proven useful in L. archeyi population studies (e.g. Bradfield 2004;Cisternas et al 2022), however there is a degree of error with this technique since pattern markings may change over time in some individuals (Easton 2020b(Easton , 2021SW pers. obs.).…”

Section: Post-release Monitoringmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of New Zealand native frog translocations: lessons learned and future priorities

Wren,

Bishop,

Beauchamp

et al. 2023

NZJE

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Translocations are becoming increasingly common although the effectiveness of this conservation tool for amphibians is highly variable. We reviewed ten translocations of Leiopelma frogs occurring between 1924 and 2016. Data were gathered on factors which may have influenced translocation outcomes. Results at each location were measured against an established four-step framework for stages of success: survival of individuals, reproduction, population growth, and population viability. Three conservation translocations and two mitigation translocations were considered to have failed, indicated by no or low survival of founders or lack of evidence of reproduction within a reasonable timeframe. Causes of failure include invasive predators at the release site, small founder numbers, homing, and poor habitat quality. The remaining five translocations were considered either successful (meeting all four stages of success), or on the road to success (meeting at least the first two stages of success). Successful translocations included predator control, total release of more than 70 founders, and in some cases adaptive management to address management decisions over time. Our findings emphasise the need for long-term post-release monitoring (> 25 years) to determine translocation success for K-selected species. Better, cost-effective, methods for monitoring population growth and population viability are required for Leiopelma frogs. Improvements could be made in open access reporting of methods and decision-making, disease risk analysis and stakeholder engagement. Further, improving our knowledge of what makes high quality Leiopelma habitat would help to objectively assess potential future translocation sites. Future translocations should consider the impacts of predicted global climate change; assisted migration may be required in the future. Translocations are a risky conservation strategy, so should only be undertaken with good cause, quality planning, and sufficient long-term resources for monitoring and management. Any future translocations for Leiopelma, whether motivated by conservation or mitigation, should follow best practice guidelines and use evidence-based decision-making to maximise outcomes.

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Demographic estimates to assess the translocation of a threatened New Zealand amphibian

Cited by 2 publications

References 48 publications

Responses at the source and release site following an inter-island translocation of Leiopelma hamiltoni

Responses at the source and release site following an inter-island translocation of Leiopelma hamiltoni

A review of New Zealand native frog translocations: lessons learned and future priorities

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