Study of survival, dispersal and home range of autumn-released red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa)

Abstract

1. On a private property with a stable population of wild red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) and an appropriate habitat for the survival of the species, reinforcement repopulations were carried out in the months of October and November for two consecutive years using 5- to 6-month-old birds reared on a commercial game farm. 2. Of the 36 released birds, none was still alive by the following spring's breeding period. Mean survival time was 9.4 d in the first year and 7.6 d in the second year. 3. Seventy-two per cent of mortality was attributable to predation, 11% to hunting and 17% to doubtful causes of death, accidents and starvation. 4. Post-release mean dispersion was 377.8 m in the first year and 526.3 m in the second. Mean home range was 7.1 ha in the first year and 5.4 ha in the second. 5. The production systems and handling practices of commercial game farms may have modified some anti-predator ethological patterns and strategies, which might make it more difficult for the birds to adapt and integrate into the wild, resulting in reduced survival due to premature mortality.

New data on mortality, home range, and dispersal of red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) released in a mountain range

“…This study focuses on releases in a low mountain area, a habitat that has been little studied from the point of view of partridge releases; however, the release success was similar to that reported in previous release experiments in other habitats (Alonso et al 2005;Castro-Pereira et al 1998;Pérez et al 2004). These studies have consistently reported low survival and high mortality rates during the first 2 weeks (ranging from 34-90%) with only a few partridges surviving beyond the first month; however, Capelo and Castro-Pereira (1996) suggested that partridges were likely to survive for more than 2 months following release, and Gortázar et al (2000) described better survival rates (25% at 120 days).…”

“…There is a rich literature on the release and success of this species as well as well-documented scientific data; however, there are wide variations in the type of release, with or without acclimatization; variations in the age of released birds; releases conducted in different seasons; releasing birds at different points; or implementing habitat improvements around the release points [see Gortázar et al (2000); Alonso et al (2005) or Pérez et al (2004and Capelo and Castro-Pereira (1996) and in Portugal]. One of the crucial variations is the habitat type into which the birds are released and its effect.…”

Mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite markers evidence a different pattern of hybridization in red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) populations from NW Italy

“…It is wellknown that captive-born birds are prone to difficulties in acclimatization due to adverse genetic and behavioral factors and that they are susceptible to health issues. These are reflected in a shorter survival compared to wild individuals, mainly through easy predation (Meriggi and Mazzoni della Stella 2004;Perez et al 2004Perez et al , 2010Alonso et al 2005;Casas et al 2012). The present study provides insights into the genetic structure of self-sustaining and expanding redlegged partridges living in two areas of NW Italy (Fig.…”

Characterisation and typification of the red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) game farms in Spain

“…This recent shift suggests that this alternative poultry production system could have reached its development maturity, despite being only four decades old (González-Redondo, 2004). Recent and growing backlash against massive and indiscriminate use of farmed partridges in hunting preserves management due to problems arising from sanitary risks (Villanúa et al, 2008), genes introgression (Blanco-Aguiar et al, 2008), low hunting quality (González-Redondo, 1997), and low survival rate (Pérez et al, 2004;Alonso et al, 2005) after release and restocking could also be contributing to the turnaround in the pace of development of new farms. This leads to many hunting preserves in which the red-legged partridge population is managed for shooting by manipulation of the natural environment rather than direct birds husbandry.…”