Translocations and fauna reconstruction sites: Western Shield review-February 2003

Published source details Mawson P.R. (2004) Translocations and fauna reconstruction sites: Western Shield review-February 2003. Conservation Science Western Australia, 5, 108-121.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Release captive-bred reptiles into the wild: Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles Action Link
	Release captive-bred individuals to re-establish or boost populations in native range Action Link
	Translocate to re-establish or boost populations in native range Action Link

Release captive-bred reptiles into the wild: Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles

A review of releases of captive individuals to wetland reserves and an island off the coast of Western Australia, Australia (Mawson 2004) found that two of three releases of captive-bred western swamp tortoises Pseudemydura umbrina were classified as successful. Two of three tortoise releases were considered successful and the success of a further release could not be determined. In 1994–2001, 12–130 tortoises were released at three sites. Animals were translocated from a zoo. The definition of successful translocation was not stated but for other species in the review it included measures of population increase and persistence.

(Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)
Release captive-bred individuals to re-establish or boost populations in native range

A review of 14 releases of six species of captive-bred mammals in Western Australia, Australia (Mawson 2004) found that where outcomes were available for release programmes, over half were regarded as successful. One out of two releases of rufous hare-wallabies Lagorchestes hirsutus, one out of two of dibblers Parantechinus apicalis and one out of four of western quolls Dasyurus geoffroii were classed as successful. However, the only release of banded hare-wallabies Lagostrophus fasciatus and one out of two releases of rufous hare-wallabies Lagorchestes hirsutus were classed as unsuccessful. At the time of the review, the outcomes of two releases of bilbies Perameles lagotis, three of western quolls, one of dibblers and three of Shark Bay mouse Pseudomys fieldi remained uncertain. In 1993–2002, sixteen to 149 captive-bred mammals were released per location. One translocation of Shark Bay mouse was partially sourced from wild stock. Invasive mammals were controlled at some release sites. The definition of successful reintroduction was not stated for most species but, for others, it included measures of population increase and persistence.

(Summarised by: Ricardo Rocha)
Translocate to re-establish or boost populations in native range

A review study of 66 translocations of 14 mammal species in Western Australia (Mawson 2004) found that over half of translocations, for which the outcome could be determined, were classified as successful. Out of 20 mammal translocations with a confirmed outcome, 11 (55%) were classed as successful and nine (45%) as non-successful. At the time of the review, the outcome of 46 translocations (68% of all translocations studied) remained uncertain. Species translocated were quokka Setonix brachyurus, black-flanked rock-wallaby Petrogale lateralis, tammar wallaby Macropus eugenii, brush-tailed bettong Bettongia penicillata, boodie Bettongia lesueur, common wallaroo Macropus robustus, numbat Myrmecobius fasciatus, southern brown bandicoot Isoodon obesulus, western barred bandicoot Perameles bougainville, western ringtail possum Pseudocheirus occidentalis, greater stick-nest rat Leporillus conditor, shark bay mouse Pseudomys fieldi, Thevenard Island mouse Leggadina lakedownensis and pebble-mound mouse Pseudomys sp. In 1993–2002, between 5–188 individuals of each species were translocated to different locations. Invasive mammals were controlled in some recipient sites. Two translocations included some captive-bred animals but most were translocated from wild populations. The definition of successful translocation was not stated for most species but, for others, it included measures of population increase and persistence.

(Summarised by: Ricardo Rocha)