IUCN Guidelines for Amphibian Reintroductions and Other Conservation Translocations First Edition Edited by Luke J
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IUCN Guidelines for amphibian reintroductions and other conservation translocations First edition Edited by Luke J. Linhoff, Pritpal Soorae, Gemma Harding, Maureen A. Donnelly, Jennifer M. Germano, David A. Hunter, Michael McFadden, Joseph R. Mendelson III, Allan P. Pessier, Michael J. Sredl and Mallory E. Eckstut IUCN/SSC Conservation Translocation Specialist Group i ii IUCN Guidelines for amphibian reintroductions and other conservation translocations First edition Edited by Luke J. Linhoff, Pritpal Soorae, Gemma Harding, Maureen A. Donnelly, Jennifer M. Germano, David A. Hunter, Michael McFadden, Joseph R. Mendelson III, Allan P. Pessier, Michael J. Sredl and Mallory E. Eckstut i The designation of geographical entities in this book, and the presentation of the material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IUCN concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of IUCN. IUCN is pleased to acknowledge the support of its Framework Partners who provide core funding: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland; Government of France and the French Development Agency (AFD); the Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea; the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad); the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida); the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the United States Department of State. Published by: IUCN, Gland, Switzerland Created by: IUCN SSC Conservation Translocation Specialist Group Copyright: © 2021 IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Reproduction of this publication for educational or other noncommercial purposes is authorised without prior written permission from the copyright holder provided the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of this publication for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written permission of the copyright holder. Citation: Linhoff, L.J., Soorae, P.S., Harding, G., Donnelly, M.A., Germano, J.M., Hunter, D.A., McFadden, M., Mendelson III, J.R., Pessier, A.P., Sredl, M.J. and Eckstut, M.E. (eds.) (2021). IUCN Guidelines for amphibian reintroductions and other conservation translocat ions, First edition. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN. ISBN: 978-2-8317-2111-8 Cover photo: (clockwise from top-left) Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis ) © Brian Gratwicke, Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens) © Lea Randall, Natterjack Toad ( Epidalea calamita) © Jim Foster, Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus ) © Brett Lewis Photo of Phil Bishop: Debbie Bishop Design & Layout: Pritpal Soorae & Luke Linhoff Available from: IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature Species Survival Commission Rue Mauverney 28 1196 Gland, Switzerland www.iucn-ctsg.org/policy-guidelines/taxon-specific-guidelines/ www.iucn-amphibians.org/resources/publications/ www.iucn.org/resources/publications ii Table of Contents Tribute to Phillip John Bishop (1957-2021) .......................................................... v Executive summary ................................................................................................ vi Key message related to amphibian conservation translocations and reintroductions ...................................................................................................... vii Authors ................................................................................................................... ix Acknowledgements ............................................................................................... ix Acronyms & abbreviations ................................................................................... x Introduction and scope of guidelines .................................................................. 1 Definitions and classifications .............................................................................. 3 Reasons for amphibian translocation .................................................................. 5 Conservation translocations ............................................................................. 5 Mitigation conservation translocations ............................................................. 6 Suitability of amphibians for translocations ...................................................... 6 Future directions in amphibian translocations .................................................. 7 Deciding when a translocation is the best option .............................................. 8 Pre-translocation planning and risk assessment ............................................... 10 Setting objectives and defining success .......................................................... 11 Feasibility and design ...................................................................................... 11 Resource availability ................................................................................ 11 Resource categories for consideration ................................................... 12 Developing knowledge about the focal species and environment ........... 13 Topics for developing a knowledge base that may be useful for assessment ....................................................................................... 14 Identifying initial causes of declines prior to amphibian reintroductions ... 14 Addressing threats and/or known causes of decline ................................ 14 Considerations for source and release sites .................................................... 15 Selecting a release site ........................................................................... 16 Planning for long-term stability and climate change ................................ 17 Demographic and population considerations ................................................... 19 Modelling reintroduced amphibian populations ........................................ 19 Demographic source & release site considerations ................................. 19 Resource box: Modelling ........................................................................ 20 Resource box: Demographic considerations .......................................... 21 Genetic considerations for amphibian reintroductions ..................................... 22 iii Basic genetic principles in amphibian translocations ............................. 22 Resource box: Genetic considerations ................................................... 24 Environmental and ecological impacts ............................................................ 25 Captivity-specific considerations ...................................................................... 26 Importance of husbandry in amphibian translocations ............................ 26 Developing amphibian husbandry protocols ........................................... 27 Planning for population management of amphibians in captivity ............. 28 Behavioural issues of amphibians in captivity ......................................... 29 Animal welfare of amphibians in translocations ................................................. 30 Resource box: Amphibian welfare and use in research ......................... 31 Disease and amphibian reintroductions ............................................................. 32 General disease considerations of amphibian reintroductions ........................ 32 Pre-release disease screening ........................................................................ 33 Risk assessment of amphibian diseases in reintroductions ............................. 34 Flow chart 1. Decision tree for dealing with pathogens in amphibian translocations ......................................................................................... 35 Social feasibility ..................................................................................................... 37 Incorporating experimental research into amphibian translocations ........................................................................................................ 38 Translocation implementation .............................................................................. 39 Capture-specific considerations ....................................................................... 40 Post-capture and pre-release health screening ....................................... 40 Transport-specific considerations .................................................................... 42 Pre-release monitoring .................................................................................... 44 Release-specific considerations ...................................................................... 44 Multi-species amphibian reintroductions .......................................................... 47 Post-release monitoring and reporting ................................................................ 48 Post-release monitoring and continuing management ..................................... 49 Resource box: Post-release monitoring ................................................. 51 Dissemination of information ........................................................................... 52 Resource box: Places to disseminate amphibian translocation results 53 Bibliography ........................................................................................................... 54 Appendix I: Global