![]() ![]() We found higher success rates when carnivores were released into unfenced areas. These animals represent a sizeable proportion of all reintroduced carnivores and made up 22% of the animals in our study. This is good news for rehabilitated and orphaned carnivores which are taken from the wild for their survival. Wild-born animals had a 72% survival rate compared to 64% for animals born in captivity. Younger animals and those born in the wild were also more likely to survive reintroduction. These releases had an 82% success rate compared to just 60% for releases with no period of adjustment. So-called "soft releases", where animals are allowed an acclimation period at the release site anywhere between 10 days and 5 months long, had a clear influence on survival. We tested various factors, all of which were under the project manager's control, that influence the success of animal reintroductions-practical changes that could improve the outcome of future rewilding efforts. In contrast, lions, brown hyenas, cheetahs, Iberian lynx and gray wolves were least able to survive their new environment. The most successful species in our study were maned wolves, pumas and ocelots. Success rates for wild-born carnivores increased from 53% to 70%, while twice the number of captive-born animals (64%) now survive reintroduction than did so in 2007. Survival at the six month mark was our measure of success. Credit: Thomas et al (2023), CC BY-NC-NDīetween 20, 66% of all the reintroduced carnivores studied were still alive six months later. ![]() Global distribution of the large carnivore reintroductions studied. In a new study, my colleagues and I studied the success of almost 300 carnivore reintroductions worldwide involving 18 different species between 20. These factors make now the perfect moment to determine whether carnivore reintroductions are becoming more effective. The relocation of a single animal can cost thousands and once released, these animals can prey on local livestock.īut since 2007, we've seen technological advances in wildlife monitoring, improved guidelines for carrying out reintroductions and the global rewilding movement gathering pace. But this is costly, controversial and often ends in failure. Like these wolves, many other species require human intervention to reach their former habitats. Yellowstone's gray wolves were reintroduced in 1995 after 70 years, and in 2020, voters approved the species' reintroduction to the state of Colorado. ![]() Many areas are seeing these animals return as a result. However, our attitudes towards these animals are gradually changing and large carnivores are now viewed by many as the victims of human expansion. The Eurasian lynx could be found in the UK over a thousand years ago and wolves roamed the country until the mid-18th century. But habitat loss and persecution have eliminated many large carnivores from their historical environment. ![]()
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