Project: 4.1
Translocation, reintroduction and conservation fencing for threatened fauna
Project Leaders: Nicola Mitchell, Sarah Legge
The conservation problem
Fauna translocations are an increasingly important conservation tool, for example to move species to areas where they are protected from predators, or
in response to a changing climate. Moving species presents challenges, including choosing the best locations for translocations, choosing the source
populations, reducing the risks to the individuals being translocated, and avoiding lowering the viability of populations from which individuals are
removed.
How this research is addressing the problem
This project is filling major knowledge gaps around the feasibility, risks, benefits and cost-effectiveness of translocating some of Australia’s most threatened fauna. For example, it is providing practical guidance on where fencing projects should be implemented to maximise benefits to threatened mammal conservation, while minimising costs.
It is also addressing the implications of mixing long-isolated populations in attempts to carry out genetic rescue of small, declining populations. For
a subset of species, it is focusing on ways to introduce adaptive gene complexes into threatened populations.
In some instances captive breeding can help avoid extinction and also provide animals for translocations. When, and how, should we do this? Such intensive
management needs careful planning, including for the maintenance of demographic and genetic health of relatively small populations over the longer-term.
Most research is occurring through partnerships with stage agencies and NGOs, many of whom are expanding their translocation programs. Together, we are
engaged in pivotal field trials to evaluate new approaches for improving the resilience of translocated populations. Aside from aiding species recovery,
fauna translocations are helping to restore ecosystem processes, which we are investigating by studying the return of digging mammals to mainland sanctuaries.
What we aim to collectively achieve through this research
We aim to improve the practice of translocation for the conservation of threatened fauna.
Read more: Using genetics to save species
Genetic translocation spawns hope for frogs
Image: Corroboree frog via Parks Australia - Australian Alps collection/Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
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Translocation, reintroduction and conservation fencing for threatened fauna
Project: 4.1
Whether moving species into fenced areas, intensively managed habitats or outside its previous habitat - translocating threatened species presents a number of challenges. This project will research the most feasible and cost-effective translocation strategies to boost the size and long-term viability of wild populations. This will include improved planning for, and implementation of, translocations of mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs.Project Leaders
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