Predator visits to acclimatization pens: implications for the soft-release of gallinaceous birds

Keiter, David A.; Ruzicka, Rebekah E.

doi:10.1017/s003060531700103x

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Confinement of a large group of birds may have attracted predators to the release site, 90 contributing to the increased short-term mortality of released bobwhites. We did not observe a similar decline in survival of wild-translocated birds.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficacy of acclimating and releasing captive-reared and wild-translocated Northern bobwhites

Reyna

Whitt

Newman

2021

Avian Biology Research

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Northern bobwhite populations are dwindling across their range. Accordingly, in areas with bobwhite habitat restoration and no nearby populations, effective population restoration techniques are needed. Here, we evaluated three bobwhite restoration release strategies: (1) release of captive-reared bobwhites on sites with and without resident populations, (2) translocation of wild-trapped bobwhites from a region of high population density to a region with no population, and (3) release of captive-reared and wild-translocated bobwhites acclimated on site prior to release in year 2. Wild-translocated birds survived longer than captive-reared birds. Mean survival for captive-reared bobwhites was 2.42 weeks, and 4.27 weeks in year 1, and 1.91 and 1.40 weeks in year 2, for study sites without resident and with resident birds present, respectively. Mean survival for wild-translocated birds was 8.50 weeks in year 1, and 11.54 weeks in year 2. Wild-translocated birds dispersed shorter distances than captive-reared birds. Both captive-reared and wild-translocated bobwhites only nested on study sites with conspecifics. Captive-reared birds had 0 nesting attempts on the site with no resident bobwhites, and ⩾8 nests on the site with resident bobwhites. Wild-translocated females nested six times and were subsequently observed with juveniles. On-site acclimation did not increase post-release survival for northern bobwhites. Acclimation increased site fidelity but reduced survival for captive-reared birds and had no impact on survival for wild-translocated bobwhites. Population restoration by release of captive-reared or wild-translocated birds is not irrelevant, but further investigation is needed into the relationship between captive-reared birds and predators, and methods to increase survival and reproduction of released birds.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficacy of acclimating and releasing captive-reared and wild-translocated Northern bobwhites

Reyna

Whitt

Newman

2021

Avian Biology Research

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“…More recently captive-bred adult Red-legged Partridges trained by caged birds calling and reacting to model aerial predators survived six times longer than untrained birds (105.2 vs 17.8 days), although when the training shifted to terrestrial (non-avian) predators the panic caused fatalities and work was suspended (Gaudioso et al 2011a). Visits by predators to release cages at night (see next section) are assumed to stress releasees (Keiter and Ruzicka 2017), but presumably may still benefit the birds by familiarising them with the shape, smell and sound of hostile animals (and are perhaps less stressful than-albeit not necessarily a substitute fortraining sessions). This dilemma requires further evaluation, along with the need to train birds to fear humans.…”

Section: Managing Maladaptation 5: Anti-predator Trainingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preparing captive-bred birds for reintroduction: the case of the Vietnam Pheasant Lophura edwardsi

Collar

2020

Bird Conservation International

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Summary The Vietnam Pheasant Lophura edwardsi (including L. hatinhensis) is only known from a small area of central Vietnam, where it occurred in wet forest below 300 m. It is probably extinct in the wild, but some 1,500 birds, derived from 28 individuals caught in 1924–1930, survive in captivity. Guidelines for reintroducing galliforms date from 2009. Subsequent literature was reviewed for new research findings to help maximise the chances of success in reintroducing birds. Studies confirmed that non-parent-reared captive-bred galliforms survive poorly, primarily owing to inadequate anti-predator responses. These reflect both genetic and ontogenetic unsuitability to wild conditions, with progressive maladaptation of stock being related to the number of generations spent in captivity (at least 35 in the case of Vietnam Pheasant). To compensate as far as possible for this deficiency, a reintroduction programme should use: environmental enrichment (including the provision of perches in aviaries), dietary enrichment (especially involving practice with live food), parent-rearing over several generations (although how many are needed for a species almost a century in captivity is unknown), soft releases (allowing full familiarisation with the future environment over at least 50 days), rigorous anti-predator training (against both air and ground attacks), anti-predation release stratagems (relocating and deterring predators, releasing birds at several stations, offering post-release support), determining appropriate numbers (per batch, with at least 300 in total per site) and time-frame for release (around five years) and the selection of fully suitable releasees in (as far as possible) naturally formed social groups, including parent-guided offspring aged around four months. Six sites need survey for extant populations or use for reintroduction, and the choice of reintroduction site will depend primarily on habitat extent and condition. The costs of these measures will be high and the overall project schedule will need to extend beyond the overall five years currently planned.

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Mini Safe Havens for population recovery and reintroductions ‘beyond-the-fence’

et al. 2022

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In response to the ongoing decline of fauna worldwide, there has been growing interest in the rewilding of whole ecosystems outside of fenced sanctuaries or offshore islands. This interest will inevitably result in attempts to restore species where eliminating threats from predators and competitors is extremely challenging or impossible, or reintroductions of predators that will increase predation risk for extant prey (i.e., coexistence conservation). We propose ‘Mini Safe Havens’ (MSHs) as a potential tool for managing these threats. Mini Safe Havens are refuges that are permanently permeable to the focal species; allowing the emigration of individuals while maintaining gene flow through the boundary. Crucial to the effectiveness of the approach is the ongoing maintenance and monitoring required to preserve a low-to-zero risk of key threats within the MSH; facilitating in-situ learning and adaptation by focal species to these threats, at a rate and intensity of exposure determined by the animals themselves. We trialled the MSH approach for a pilot reintroduction of the Australian native New Holland mouse (Pseudomys novaehollandiae), in the context of a trophic rewilding project to address potential naïveté to a reintroduced native mammalian predator. We found that mice released into a MSH maintained their weight and continued to use the release site beyond 17 months (525 days) post-release. In contrast, individuals in temporary soft-release enclosures tended to lose weight and became undetectable approximately 1-month post-release. We discuss the broad applicability of MSHs for population recovery and reintroductions ‘beyond-the-fence’ and recommend avenues for further refinement of the approach.

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Predator visits to acclimatization pens: implications for the soft-release of gallinaceous birds

Cited by 5 publications

References 24 publications

Efficacy of acclimating and releasing captive-reared and wild-translocated Northern bobwhites

Efficacy of acclimating and releasing captive-reared and wild-translocated Northern bobwhites

Preparing captive-bred birds for reintroduction: the case of the Vietnam Pheasant Lophura edwardsi

Mini Safe Havens for population recovery and reintroductions ‘beyond-the-fence’

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