Translocate (capture & release) wild primates from abundant population areas to non-inhabited environments

Overall effectiveness category Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence)
Number of studies: 1
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How is the evidence assessed?

Effectiveness

50%
Certainty

20%
Harms

0%

Calculating overall effectiveness category

Study locations

Key messages

One replicated study in Belize found that the majority of black howler monkeys survived for at least 10 months after translocation from abundant population areas to an uninhabited site, along with other interventions.

About key messages

Key messages provide a descriptive index to studies we have found that test this intervention.

Studies are not directly comparable or of equal value. When making decisions based on this evidence, you should consider factors such as study size, study design, reported metrics and relevance of the study to your situation, rather than simply counting the number of studies that support a particular interpretation.

Supporting evidence from individual studies

A replicated study in 1992–1993 in tropical forest at Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary (CWSB), Belize found that the majority of wild black howler monkeys Alouatta pigra captured and translocated to a site with no resident howlers along with other interventions, survived for at least ten months and reproduced. Twelve (86%) out of 14 reintroduced monkeys survived for at least ten months after release. One male and one juvenile disappeared two months post-release. Two infants were born in two of the three release groups, 3-8 months post-release. Howlers were captured at the Community Baboon Sanctuary (CBS), 100 km north of the CWSB. Tree species diversity overlapped by 60% between both locations. Prior to release, monkeys underwent veterinary screens. Three groups were released into habitat without resident howlers. They were allowed to adapt to local conditions before release. Six individuals were fitted with ball-chain radio-collars and six were implanted with radio-transmitters, but signals got lost six weeks post-release. The study does not distinguish between the effects of the different interventions mentioned above.
Study and other actions tested
Referenced paper
Horwich R.H., Koontz F., Saqui E., Saqui H. & Glander K. (1993) A reintroduction program for the conservation of the black howler monkey in Belize. Endangered Species Research, 10, 1-6.

Please cite as:

Junker, J., Kühl, H.S., Orth, L., Smith, R.K., Petrovan, S.O. & Sutherland, W.J. (2020) Primate Conservation. Pages 431-482 in: W.J. Sutherland, L.V. Dicks, S.O. Petrovan & R.K. Smith (eds) What Works in Conservation 2020. Open Book Publishers, Cambridge, UK.

Where has this evidence come from?

List of journals searched by synopsis

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This Action forms part of the Action Synopsis:

Primate Conservation

Related Actions

Actions	Effectiveness	Studies	Category
Reintroduce primates as single/multiple individuals Action Link	Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence)	13	Synopsis Link
Reintroduce primates into habitat without predators Action Link	Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence)	1	Synopsis Link
Reintroduce primates in groups Action Link	Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence)	30	Synopsis Link