Reintroduction

The response of prey to predation risk varies through time and space. These responses relate to trade-offs between foraging and predator avoidance. Following the ex-tirpation of predators from many landscapes, the responses related to predator avoidance may have been lost or diluted. Investigating the activity pattern of prey species on comparable landscapes with and without large predators provides an opportunity to understand how predators may shape prey activity and behaviour. Using camera trap data from neighbouring fenced sections of the Addo Elephant National Park (Eastern Cape, South Africa), we investigated the activity patterns of species exposed to large predators, where the predators were only present in one of the sections. Our results suggest that prey species at risk of predation (e.g., buffalo, kudu and warthog) are more likely to be active diurnally when co-existing with nocturnally active predators, thereby reducing the activity overlap with these predators. In the absence of predators, kudu and buffalo were more active at night resulting in a low overlap in activity between sections. Warthog activity was predominantly diurnal in both sections, resulting in a high overlap in activity between sections. The presence of predators reduced the nocturnal activity of wart-hogs from 6 to 0.6 % of all warthog captures in each section. Elephants, which are above the preferred prey weight range of the predators and therefore have a low risk of predation, showed higher overlap in activity periodicity between predator-present and predator-absent areas. Our findings suggest that maintaining prey with their predators has the added benefit of conserving the full spectrum of prey adaptive behaviours.

The Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus) is the world’s largest amphibian and is endemic to China. The species was once widely distributed in all three major river systems in central and southern China and has been found in various water bodies including streams, rivers, and underground waterways in karst caves (Wang et al., 2004). Due to habitat destruction, water pollution, and over-exploitation for its flesh, the species has suffered an 80% population decline since the 1950s (Liang et al., 2004). In 2004, it was listed as critically endangered by the IUCN Red List, making it one of the most threatened amphibians in the world. In China, it was listed as a Class II Protected Species in 1989, which prohibits by law the collection of wild salamanders. However, wild populations do not appear to be rebounding due to continued threats and without restocking efforts the recovery of salamander populations might be slow, given their rarity and long generation intervals (sexual maturity occurs at 6-8 years or longer). Thus, captive breeding and reintroduction are possible conservation strategies for restoration and recovery of wild populations and down-listing from its current threat level. To test this theory, our team released 31 salamanders into two head-water streams in Shaanxi Province in central China and monitored their survival and movement for one year using radio-telemetry and passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags.

This case study explores the reintroduction of tigers to Sariska Tiger Reserve in
Rajasthan, India, highlighting how the (re)negotiation between people and tigers is
a struggle rooted in place and territory, with boundaries co-constructed by human
and nonhuman actors. While the reintroduction came only three years after the official
admission of complete species loss, tigers as a dominant force on the landscape
were absent for more than a decade in some places. Accordingly, the people of Sariska
see the reintroduced tigers as foreigners without place-knowledge and as disturbers
of the interspecies boundaries created by the interactions of Sariska’s original tigers
and many generations of local people. This study speaks to conservation sciences and
animal geography to contribute to the scientific knowledge of the human dimensions
of rewilding, still a nascent area of restoration ecology specifically in the case of apex
predators in the global south.

Home range and food habits of tigers (Panthera tigris tigris) were studied in Sariska Tiger Reserve from July 2008 to June 2009. Three tigers (one male and two females) were radio-collared and reintroduced in Sariska Tiger Reserve from Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, Western India during 2008-2009. The reintroduced tigers were monitored periodically through ground tracking using "triangulation and homing in techniques." The estimated annual home ranges were 168.6 km 2 and 181.4 km 2 for tiger and tigress-1 respectively. The estimated summer home range of tigress-2 was 223.4 km 2 . In total, 115 kills and 103 scats of tigers were collected to study the food habits. The line transect method was used to estimate the prey availability. The density of peafowl (Pavo cristatus) was found to be highest (125.2 ± 15.3/ km 2 ) in Sariska followed by livestock (Bubalis bubalis and Bos indicus) (59.9 ± 22.3/ km 2 ), chital (Axis axis) (46.7 ± 9.5/ km 2 ), sambar (Rusa unicolor) (26.2 ± 4.9/ km 2 ), common langur (Semnopithecus entellus) (22.8 ± 6.5/ km 2 ), nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus) (19.5 ± 3.3/ km 2 ) and wild pig (Sus scrofa) (15.4 ± 4.4/ km 2 ). Tigers fed on seven prey species as shown by kill data. Tigers' scat analysis revealed the presence of five prey species. Prey selection by tigers based on scat analysis was in the following order: sambar> chital> nilgai> livestock> common langur. It is proposed to restock the tiger population initially with five tigers in Sariska and subsequent supplementation of two tigers every three years for a period of six years, which will allow the population to achieve demographic viability. Removal of anthropogenic pressure from the national park will be crucial for the long term survival of tigers in Sariska.

The present paper draws from a study of the role of zoos in forming attitudes towards biodiversity and native wild carnivores that are considered for reintroduction. The project is being developed by an interdisciplinary team (wildlife conservation, psychology, education) working towards the development of a questionnaire to investigate this topic in the UK. Research suggests that experiences with live animals in zoos may encourage empathy, through personal connection, which in turn facilitates greater concern towards biodiversity. Concomitantly, the reintroduction of wild carnivores to their native habitats may contribute to biodiversity by helping regulate ecosystem dynamics. Carnivores also carry a rich cultural and historical heritage. IUCN guidelines state the need for public support to establish a reintroduced population in the wild, therefore, carnivore restoration efforts benefit from the understanding of the human dimensions. A pilot study was carried out in Kent (spring 2015) using focus groups and interviews to investigate attitudes towards biodiversity, with particular focus on two species of carnivores native to the British Isles and currently considered for reintroduction (the European lynx Lynx lynx and the pine marten Martes martes) and the role of zoos in promoting support towards 295 biodiversity conservation. Results suggest an association between seeing native wild carnivore species in the zoo and emotional responses such as 'breaking down fears', but also concerns about a disconnect between people and nature, and misunderstanding about the role of zoos in 'protecting' species. Below we offer a discussion of the themes that emerged from the analysis of focus groups and interviews in relation to biodiversity.

Reintroduction of captive-bred animals into suitable habitats is an important technique for the long-term conservation and recovery of populations of endangered species in fragmented landscapes. Inbreeding depression is an inherent risk when using captive populations for reintroduction programs and needs to be carefully assessed prior to reintroduction. In this study, we evaluated inbreeding levels within a captive breeding program and one remnant wild population of Cabot's Tragopan (Tragopan caboti), an endangered pheasant species endemic to China, for which reintroduction is now an essential conservation strategy for long-term population persistence. Fifteen highly polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed to genotype individuals. Inbreeding coefficients (F IS ) reveal that there is no evidence of inbreeding within the Tragopan Breeding Center of Beijing Normal University (TBCBNU) captive population and the remnant population from the Wuyi-Yandang Mountains. Diversity of origin, large founder population size and a rational breeding strategy are the most critical factors preventing inbreeding depression within the TBCBNU captive population. We suggest that the TBCBNU population is a suitable candidate stock for T. caboti reintroduction programs and that there is an urgent need to better coordinate and strengthen reproduction management of captive T. caboti populations to sustain the long-term ex situ conservation of the species.

Citation: Kachamakova M, Antonova V, Koshev Y (2019) The role of ant nests in European ground squirrel's (Spermophilus citellus) post-reintroduction adaptation in two Bulgarian mountains. Biodiversity Data Journal 7: e38292.

Abstract: The European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus) is a vulnerable species, whose populations are declining throughout its entire range in Central and SouthEastern Europe. To a great extent, its conservation depends on habitat restoration, maintenance and protection. In order to improve the conservation status of the species, reintroductions are increasingly applied. Therefore, researchers focus their attention on factors that facilitate these activities and contribute to their success. In addition to the well-known factors like grass height and exposition, others, related to the underground characteristics, are more difficult to evaluate. The presence of other digging species could help this evaluation. Here, we present two reintroduced ground squirrel colonies, where the vast majority of the burrows are located in the base of anthills, mainly of yellow meadow ant (Lasius flavus). This interspecies relationship offers numerous advantages for the ground squirrel and is mostly neutral for the ants. The benefits for the ground squirrel, including reduced energy demand for digging, as well as additional surveillance and hiding places available, could greatly enhance the post-reintroduction adaptation process.

Large carnivores are often apex predators and are important in ecosystems as their behaviour promotes biodiversity. They frequently
fall victim to anthropogenic causes of local extinction and subsequently, have often been the subjects of conservation efforts involving
reintroduction programs. As land-use changes restrict ranges and reduce prey for large carnivores, the trend towards local extinction is
set to increase; therefore ex-situ conservation is likely to be increasingly prevalent. Reintroduction programmes are divided into two
distinct parts. The first part is pre-release, which includes selection, breeding, and preparation of animals. The second part runs from
the time the animals are ready for release through the actual release process and may include post-release monitoring and the release of
further, supplementary, animals where this is necessary and feasible. This study identifies and discusses a number of potential problems
involved in the use of captive animals to seed reintroductions including welfare as well as ethical and political issues. Other challenges
include the genetic and behavioural integrity of founder animals and disease control, both in captivity and post release. This study also
identifies a number of points for consideration during and after release, including the involvement and motivation of stakeholders. The
potential ecological ramifications of reintroductions are discussed as is the role of zoos in future programmes. Recommendations are
made regarding the involvement of social scientists and conservationists in future release programmes.

The nightly and seasonal activity patterns of a large colony of bats roosting in a country church are described. In summer 400-700 bats from two speciessouthern freetail bat (Mormopterus sp. 4) and chocolate wattled bat (Chalinolobus morio)left the roost beginning around civil twilight. Bats emerged at a rate of up to 40-50 min -1 , and took 30 min or longer to clear the roost.

The European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus) is a vulnerable species, whose populations are declining throughout its entire range in Central and South-Eastern Europe. To a great extent, its conservation depends on habitat restoration, maintenance and protection. In order to improve the conservation status of the species, reintroductions are increasingly applied. Therefore, researchers focus their attention on factors that facilitate these activities and contribute to their success. In addition to the well-known factors like grass height and exposition, others, related to the underground characteristics, are more difficult to evaluate. The presence of other digging species could help this evaluation. Here, we present two reintroduced ground squirrel colonies, where the vast majority of the burrows are located in the base of anthills, mainly of yellow meadow ant (Lasius flavus). This interspecies relationship offers numerous advantages for the ground squirrel and is mostly neu...

The Indochinese clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) was recently declared extinct in Taiwan but is a potential candidate for reintroduction. We assessed the level of public support for reintroduction and the value of clouded leopards to Taiwanese residents via their willingness-to-pay (WTP) among indigenous and urban communities for a potential reintroduction to the Tawushan Nature Reserve. We also investigated sociodemographic factors related to such support or lack thereof. Questionnaires were completed by 263 rural indigenous residents and 500 urban residents across three metropolitan areas. We found 48%, 31%, and 21% of rural respondents supported, were neutral toward, or opposed a reintroduction, respectively, whereas for urban respondents these percentages were 71%, 22%, and 7% respectively. Rural and urban residents were >3 and >7 times more likely to pay to support a reintroduction than those willing to pay to prevent it, respectively, and the hypothetical donations of urban and rural supporters totaled 11.1 and 21.3 times more than opposition WTP totals. More positive attitudes towards clouded leopards were positively related to respondent support and greater WTP for reintroduction. Clouded leopard reintroduction is generally supported by the Taiwanese public, but rural support could change post-release given the large percentage of neutral respondents. We recommend indigenous involvement in any reintroduction effort and an educational campaign to increase awareness among Taiwanese residents about clouded leopards and their potential reintroduction. Keywords Rural and urban attitudes. Carnivores. Felids. Clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa). Indigenous communities. Extinct species reintroduction. Willingness-to-pay (WTP). Tawushan nature reserve. Taiwan

The tree-nesting population of the Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
peregrinus formerly inhabited a large part of Central and Eastern Europe. Its range covered northern-eastern Germany, eastern Denmark, Poland, southern Sweden and Finland, the Baltic States, Belarus, northern Ukraine and the lowlands of Russia up to the Ural Mountains. In 1950s Peregrine populations drastically decreased through its whole worldwide range, as a result of environmental contamination (mainly Persistent Organic Pollutants, including DDT). Some populations became extinct, including the whole tree-nesting European population. &e last tree nest in Poland was found in 1964.
Falconers started to breed Peregrines and developed methods for intensive breeding and reintroduction, at first in the US, then in Germany and other countries. With the ban on DDT in most countries, the situation of the Peregrine began to improve and populations that survived the crisis began to rebuild.
Reintroduction significantly accelerated the restoration process in many places, some populations were restored from absolute zero. Unfortunately, the tree- nesting population did not begin to regenerate naturally and so the only way to restore it is reintroduction.
The tree-nesting project was successfully conducted in eastern part of Germany. The tree nesting project was started a*er the German reunification and conducted between the east German protectionist organisation “Arbeitskreis Wanderfalkenschutz (AWS)”, the hunter’s organisation  “Landesjagdverband Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (LJV)” and falconers from German Falconers Orden (Deutscher Falkenorden – DFO). In Germany there are circa 50 pairs breeding on trees now.
In Poland falconers started their first attempts to breed Peregrines at the
end of the 1970s, with the first results in mid 1980s. Reintroductions in Poland started in 1990 and were conducted mainly in forest areas, with some in mountains (Pieniny) and cities (Warszawa, Kraków). &e first breeding attempt in Poland was in Warsaw in 1998, with first success in 1999. The population  established in cities and mountains in south.
Since 2010 the whole restitution program is being conducted by the Society for Wild Animals Falcon. In 2010–2015 a total of 543 young Peregrines were released in forests. In Poland the first chicks from a nest on tree were ringed in 2012, with 5 known nests on trees in 2015.
Tree-nesting population recovery is based on idea of imprinting on place
of birth. That proved to be successful with established and growing population in Germany and seed population in Poland.
Poland is a key country for the success of the tree-nesting Peregrine
recovery in Europe. Currently the work on this ecotype is also being conducted in Germany and projects are planned for Lithuania, Belarus and Russia. The necessity to conduct the tree-nesting recovery project was included by IUCN/Birdlife International into the Species fact sheet, the Peregrine on a global level has a Least Concern status, except for the tree-nesting population which requires further active conservation actions.

There has been a lot in the media about otter numbers increasing rapidly in England and Wales, and now it is claimed they are in every county (BBC England 2011).  It is true that there has been an increase in the number of signs but what exactly does this mean?

Cette communication inscrit dans une perspective à la fois diachronique et synchronique la protection du castor dans les années 1900. En France, le mouvement naturaliste est porteur de cette demande de protection d’un animal au bord de l’extinction qui se fonde sur une mutation des conceptions savantes mais aussi, en lien avec la protection des paysages, sur la notion de patrimoine naturel. Tout au long du XXe siècle, le castor recolonise naturellement et par des réintroductions de nombreux cours d’eau de France et d’Europe, façonnant à nouveau un certain paysage, que la protection de cette espèce permet de conserver, inversant ainsi la logique de « l’enveloppe patrimoniale ».

In English
From the Conservation of the Beaver as a Heritage to the Landscape Conservation
The aim of this survey is to explain how and why beaver was preserved in 1900’s. In France, this animal was almost disappeared when the naturalistic movement of the conservation of nature got its preservation. Scientific conceptions change and make conservation possible with the help of landscape conservation movement and its idea of natural heritage. During the XXe century, beaver gets back to lots of rivers in France and in Europe, naturally or with re-introduction. Beaver creates its special landscape again.

ABSTRACT Social acceptance is crucial to reintroduction projects involving large felids, yet few studies have assessed public attitudes toward reintroduction candidates prior to release. To assess attitudes toward clouded leopards, a reintroduction candidate in Taiwan, we conducted interviews with 263 rural indigenous locals in southern Taiwan and distributed an internet questionnaire to 500 Taiwanese urbanites. Rural and urban attitudes were 67% and 76% positive toward clouded leopards, respectively. Higher knowledge about clouded leopards, male respondents, and younger-aged respondents were positively correlated with rural attitudes toward clouded leopards. Comparably, an increase in knowledge, male respondents, and those with more household children were positively associated with urban attitudes. Additionally, 67% of rural and 71% of urban respondents exhibited positive attitudes toward clouded leopard competitors and prey in Taiwan, respectively. Our findings suggest that clouded leopard reintroduction may already be well-supported among members of Taiwanese indigenous nations and more broadly by the general public.

The Sahelo-Saharan Interest Group (SSIG) is an informal network of individuals and institutions with a common interest in the conservation of the wildlife of the Sahara and bordering Sahelian grasslands. The group brings together people from many disciplines, including the zoo community, research establishments and government wildlife departments. Membership is open to all and the group stays in contact via a dedicated list-serve. SSIG was established following the landmark meeting organized by the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) in Djerba, Tunisia, in February 1998 to adopt an action plan for endangered Sahelo-Saharan antelopes. The group first met in 2000 at Marwell Zoological Park in England. Since then SSIG has held

The Formosan sika deer was declared extinct in the wild in Taiwan around 1969. In 1994, a series of reintroductions was initiated in Taiwan’s Kenting National Park. Today a wild population is established in the core area of the Park, and even continues to expand. Between October 2016 to March 2018, we used Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) to survey the herd composition of the sika deer in the Shuiwaku Grassland, a forest-grassland mosaic habitat inside the park. We completed a total of 56 early morning surveys (range: 2-7 per month) during the study period. The photographs and videos collected by UAV were used to identify the age and/or sex of each individuals recorded, and to generate data on deer group size, sex ratio, age-group ratio for each herd, and solitary animals. Overall, we cumulatively detected 394 non-independent deer groups comprised of 4,732 individuals, and an additional 130 solitary animals. We found that outside of the rutting season (February-September), adult females remained in the adjacent forest the majority of the time. When females moved into the grassland, they formed small-stable groups with young deer (average size: 6.7±4.5 during the post-rutting season; 6.3±3.2 during the calving season). Males either occupied mixed sex groups (average size: 18.0±9.1 during the post-rutting season; 13.8±7.3 during the calving season), or formed bachelor groups (average size: 5.6±4.3 during the post-rutting season; 5.7±3.8 during the calving season) in open grassland during this same period. During the territorial rut, the proportion of solitary adult males increased significantly to 24.2±15.4%, whereas females also formed gregarious but unstable mixed sex groups with males (average size: 17.0±12.0). Although we observed the first newborns in the open grasslands in August (2017), the ratio of fawns to adult females was highest (56.8%) in October, suggesting that this may be the optimal time to conduct annual birth rate surveys. Overall, we found sexual segregation was present in the Formosan sika deer largely driven by sex-based differences in habitat preference, and the non-random assortment of sexes in response to their reproductive status.

To assess the potential disease risks posed by resident Columbiformes to the reintroduction of the Socorro Dove Zenaida graysoni to Socorro Island, Mexico, the endemic Socorro Ground Dove Columbina passerina socorrensis and the recently arrived Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura, were screened for ecto- and endoparsites, haemosporidia, Trichomonas gallinae, Chlamydophila psittaci and avian pox. All of the Mourning Doves and Socorro Ground Doves sampled appeared healthy upon capture. We detected Haemoproteus spp. in 88% of Mourning Dove and 30% of Socorro Ground Dove samples using microscopy. Two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) DNA amplification methods detected either Haemoproteus spp. or Plasmodium spp. Pooling results from both tests yielded positives in 100% of the Mourning Doves and 52% of the Socorro Ground Doves. A nested PCR detected Leucocytozoon spp. in 94% of the Mourning Doves and 61% of the Socorro Ground Doves sampled. Thus, at least two genera of haemosporidia are present in columbids of Socorro Island. Microscopy for T. gallinae yielded positives in 33% of Mourning Dove and 30% of Socorro Ground Dove samples. C. psittaci was not detected using PCR on either cloacal swab samples or tissue samples from tested Mourning Doves or Socorro Ground Doves. Necropsies revealed neither lesions indicative of the wet form of avian pox, nor internal lesions associated with trichomoniasis. These results suggest that Socorro Doves selected for reintroduction should be screened carefully to evaluate potential immunological challenges by native haemosporidians and to avoid introduction of other diseases apparently absent from native Columbiformes on Socorro Island.

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Gesner’s Historia Animalium preserves scholarly opinions from naturalists and humanists from across sixteenth century Europe. One such view comes from Bonar of Balice, south-east Poland. Bonar attests that although the European lynx (Lynx lynx) is common throughout central and eastern Europe, the best skins come from Sweden and, surprisingly, Scotland. After exploring evidence about who Bonar is and why he might have written to Gesner, this essay builds up two possible explanations for Bonar’s opinion that lynx populations were present in sixteenth century Scotland:

(i) Either, Scotland’s native populations of lynxes may have still been present in the sixteenth century: British lynx remains have been dated to the sixth century. The lynx could possibly have survived longer without being noticed in records if it was customarily called a ‘cat’, like other large felids. However, other than Bonar’s attestation, there is only tentative positive evidence consistent with this interpretation; most importantly the ambiguous testimony of Robert Sibbald in 1684.

(ii) Or, Scotland may have ‘tricked’ Bonar by importing and then re-exporting fine, exotic furs: There is evidence that Scotland had a major fur industry. Lynx fur had a high status. Furs were commonly re-exported in the fourteenth century. Scots merchants often imported high-status furs like lynx into Poland in the sixteenth century, suggesting that Bonar had the highest possible chance of seeing Scottish-fashioned lynx furs.

This essay argues that, on balance of the evidence, the second interpretation is the stronger of the two, although the first is also possible.

The use of population modelling has become an increasingly common tool in reintroduction planning and assessment. Although initial reintroduction success is often measured by quantifying post-release survival and reproduction, longer-term success is best assessed through measurements of population viability. Here we develop a population model capable of providing useful results for influencing management of a reintroduction programme for a long-lived and slow-reproducing primate, the western lowland gorilla Gorilla gorilla gorilla. We used post-release monitoring data from two reintroduced populations in the Batéké Plateau region of Congo and Gabon, complemented with published data on wild and captive populations, to develop a population model using Vortex. Sensitivity testing illustrated that the model was highly sensitive to changes in the input parameters for annual birth rates, the number of lethal equivalents, and for female annual mortality rates, especially for adults. The results of the population viability analysis suggested that the reintroduced gorilla populations have a reasonable chance of persistence (. 90% over 200 years) but illustrated that reinforcement of the populations could significantly improve probabilities of population persistence and retention of genetic diversity. Equally, catastrophic events could have significant negative impacts. Continued monitoring of the populations should allow refinement of the model, improving confidence in its predictions and its relevance to decision-making.

What's a savanna look like? How do I tell savanna from woodland or forest or from old field or woody invaded pasturage? Where's the line that makes a piece of land a savanna or woodland or something else? Natural landscapes are a continuum of plant and animal communities grading from one to another. Altered landscapes generally have their land cover compartmentalized into units by roads, fences, or trails. As land managers, we are trained to manage timber in stands, crops in fields, and pasture in grazing units. Though we attempt to manage the entire forest or the entire land holding, we still think as we have been trained, in units. Delineating units allows us to organize our management alternatives into workable groups. In altered landscapes, this approach works quite effectively. However, when trying to decide where natural communities start and stop, we are perplexed by the variety of different criteria used to define the different communities. When faced with communities that are themselves transitional communities between the major land covers of prairie and forest, the task becomes even more perplexing. To that end, this Savanna/Woodland Symposium was developed to aid land managers in understanding the components that constitute that part of the natural continuum called savanna or woodland, the value of this vanishing land cover type, and how to best restore this habitat to the landscape. From an idea conceived by Ken McCarty, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, this symposium presented the work and thoughts of 12 people with extensive backgrounds in savanna and woodland communities and their management. The goal of this symposium was to provide a primer for land managers as they incorporate savanna and woodland management into their overall management programs. This symposium does not provide the final word on savanna and woodland, but rather a basic background on these natural communities that will allow you, as a land manager or consultant, to better manage savanna and woodland community types. Your long term expertise in managing these land covers will increase as you learn by doing. Share the information and insights you gather so that we may all continue to learn.

To assess the potential disease risks posed by resident Columbiformes to the reintroduction of the Socorro Dove Zenaida graysoni to Socorro Island, Mexico, the endemic Socorro Ground Dove Columbina passerina socorrensis and the recently arrived Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura, were screened for ecto- and endoparsites, haemosporidia, Trichomonas gallinae, Chlamydophila psittaci and avian pox. All of the Mourning Doves and Socorro Ground Doves sampled appeared healthy upon capture. We detected Haemoproteus spp. in 88% of Mourning Dove and 30% of Socorro Ground Dove samples using microscopy. Two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) DNA amplification methods detected either Haemoproteus spp. or Plasmodium spp. Pooling results from both tests yielded positives in 100% of the Mourning Doves and 52% of the Socorro Ground Doves. A nested PCR detected Leucocytozoon spp. in 94% of the Mourning Doves and 61% of the Socorro Ground Doves sampled. Thus, at least two genera of haemosporidia are present ...

In an attempt to reduce the risk of extinction that threatens several species, reintroductions are becoming important conservation tools. Focused on IUCN guidelines, we aim to analyse the social context of a possible reintroduction of species (Aquila chrysaetos, Gyps fulvus, Canis lupus signatus) in Serra da Estrela Natural Park, Portugal.
From September 2009 to March 2010, data was collected through complementary methods and techniques: document analysis, informal interviews (n=18) and semi-structured interviews to the inhabitants (n= 116) of seven rural villages located on the north-western part of Serra da Estrela Natural Park.
Results suggest that: (i) changes in the local social context and human-predator conflicts can compromise the reintroduction; (ii) local people's support towards it depends on the «sociozoologic scale», within which the three species are locally perceived as "bad". Nevertheless, respondents manifested negative opinions only towards the possible reintroduction of wolves.

Reintroduced populations are generally smaller and more isolated than native populations; thus even when reintroduced populations are demographically stable, a lack of genetic variation may present a threat to long-term persistence. We examined the demographic structure and genetic variation of the marten reintroduction into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Male : female and juvenile : adult female ratios indicate that the Michigan population is demographically stable. Michigan martens had higher allelic diversity (A ¼ 7.4) compared to the average diversity found among Canadian populations (A ¼ 5.8) and similar levels of observed heterozygosity (H Canadian ¼ 0.64, H Michigan ¼ 0.63), excluding Newfoundland martens. We found no significant differences in the allelic diversity or heterozygosity between the reintroduced Michigan population and the source population for the reintroduction, that of Chapleau, Ontario. Surprisingly, we found no evidence of a genetic bottleneck in the Michigan population. We suggest that the genetic success of this reintroduction is a result of the multiple reintroductions and subsequent intrastate translocations that mimicked gene flow. The success was further aided by the presence of small remnant populations that remained in Michigan, as evidenced by the presence of private alleles in Michigan.

Case studies of well-documented snake reintroductions are limited, despite their potential value for conservation and ecosystem recovery. The Endangered woma Aspidites ramsayi is a large boid snake that has declined considerably and is now threatened throughout much of central Australia. We describe a trial release of captive-bred womas into the feral predator-free Arid Recovery Reserve in northern South Australia. All of the reintroduced womas were killed within 4 months, with predation by the mulga snake Pseudechis australis confirmed or implied in all cases. Lessons learned for the conditioning of captive-bred snakes for wild release and the role of the mulga snake in structuring Australian arid-zone snake assemblages are discussed.

As wildlife habitats shrink, some species are pushed into extinction, while conflicts with others increase and cause significant economic damages. This paper proposes a simple real options framework to analyze wildlife management policies that account for ecological uncertainty and the risk of extinction. Our application to wolves provides an economic justification for their reintroduction and highlights the importance of existence value. Our sensitivity analysis shows that the optimal management policy depends on the growth rate, the volatility, and the minimum viable density of the wolf population, but little on damages, existence value, and the discount rate for the parameters considered.

Social acceptance is crucial to reintroduction projects involving large felids, yet few studies have assessed public attitudes toward reintroduction candidates prior to release. To assess attitudes toward clouded leopards, a reintroduction candidate in Taiwan, we conducted interviews with 263 rural indigenous locals in southern Taiwan and distributed an internet questionnaire to 500 Taiwanese urbanites. Rural and urban attitudes were 67% and 76% positive toward clouded leopards, respectively. Higher knowledge about clouded leopards, male respondents, and younger-aged respondents were positively correlated with rural attitudes toward clouded leopards. Comparably, an increase in knowledge, male respondents, and those with more household children were positively associated with urban attitudes. Additionally, 67% of rural and 71% of urban respondents exhibited positive attitudes toward clouded leopard competitors and prey in Taiwan, respectively. Our findings suggest that clouded leopard reintroduction may already be well-supported among members of Taiwanese indigenous nations and more broadly by the general public.

The Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) botany team who
started the rewilding of a threatened aquatic carnivorous species,
Utricularia punctata, in Tasik Chini in 2014, continues to see
through the restoration of the species there with the support of
the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE).