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Reintroduction and restocking: guidelines for bird recovery programmes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2010

Jeffrey M. Black
Jeffrey M. Black
Affiliation:
The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Slimbridge, Gloucestershire GL2 7BT, U.K.
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Summary

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Reintroduction and restocking programmes are conservation tools which may be employed when a wild population is otherwise beyond recovery. The decision to undertake such programmes should be based on a series of “feasibility” assessments (e.g. the bird's ecology, current threats, suitability of available stock and regional human socioeconomic implications). Releases should only take place when the habitat is capable of sustaining a viable population and the original constraining factors no longer operate. Releasing birds into near-saturated areas may be harmful and should be avoided. Local, national and international support for the programme should be secured. The birds should be of optimal quality in terms of behaviour, health and genetics and they should be reared, released and monitoring according to sound strategies and criteria. Assessment and adjustments of the programme should periodically be made after initial releases. Documentation of the programme should be circulated and/or published.

Type
Research Article
Information
Bird Conservation International , Volume 1 , Issue 4 , December 1991 , pp. 329 - 334
Copyright
Copyright © Birdlife International 1991

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