What is wrong with current translocations? A review and a decision‐making proposal

Abstract

Should a species be translocated? Uncertainty regarding the necessity and feasibility of many translocations complicates answering this question. Here, we review translocation projects, both published and unpublished. Our results indicate that most projects (1) addressed fewer than half of the basic criteria established for translocations and (2) were either unjustifiable from a conservation perspective or inadequately designed to guarantee success or preclude negative consequences. We propose a hierarchical decision‐making system – an explicit method that integrates existing guidelines, thereby covering a key gap in conservation science – to reduce ambiguity when deciding whether to implement a given translocation project. This method will improve the likelihood of success in translocation projects and contribute to the efficient use of the limited resources available for these conservation efforts.

Processes limiting mussel bed restoration in the Wadden-Sea

“…Hence, there may still be interesting prospects for success restoration of mussel beds in the future, both in the Wadden Sea and in other intertidal systems. This viewpoint corroborated with recently published guidelines on bivalve restoration that can be helpful in designing new techniques of mussel bed restoration(Baine 2001, Pérez et al 2012.…”

“…Our study may provide interesting prospects for successful restoration of mussel beds in the future, both in the Wadden Sea and in other intertidal systems. Moreover, guidelines have been recently published on bivalve restoration that can be helpful in designing new techniques of mussel bed restoration(Baine 2001, Pérez et al 2012. Hence, there may still be interesting prospects for success restoration of mussel beds in the future, both in the Wadden Sea and in other intertidal systems.…”

Uneven Large-Scale Movement Patterns in Wild and Reintroduced Pre-Adult Bearded Vultures: Conservation Implications

“…The results and goals of these programs however are still hotly debated because in many cases their convenience, justification, and usefulness remain unclear [44]. In particular, the origin of reintroduced birds (captive vs wild) is controversial.…”

Social Preferences of Translocated Giraffes (Giraffa Camelopardalis Giraffa) in Senegal: Evidence for Friendship Among Females?

“…However, very little is known about importance of social bonds when socially living animals face new environments (Fischer and Lindenmayer, 2000), either being transported to captive or to semi-captive conditions of fenced reserves. Recent efforts to enhance the effectiveness of translocation have focused on questions regarding the composition of founding populations, including social structure of translocated herds (Pérez et al, 2012). Moreover, study of social structure of giraffe in a new environment may help understanding of formation of social structure in giraffe and assess the possibilities of evolution of communal maternal care and formation of crèche groups in semi-captivity.…”