Impressive First International Conference on Reintroduction Sanjay Molur * The “First International Wildlife Reintroduction experts from ‘developed’ countries; there was not Conference: Applying Science to Conservation” held one presentation from a native of any of those at Lincoln Park recently, was, by far, one of the best ‘developing’ countries. The conference had a conferences I have attended in the field of wildlife/ distinct feel of reintroductions being a ‘developed’ conservation. The two-day conference even could country forte. Hopefully, the next conference will have extended by two extra days and every minute have presenters from both the ‘developed’ and of available time would have been filled up with ‘developing’ worlds. experiences presented, opinions discussed, notes compared, posters displayed and statistics The organisers intend to make this conference a bi- updated. A predominance of bird reintroduction annual affair and are working out the modalities of examples did not take away from the conference its setting up a process to solicit bids to host the next need for highlighting experiences from other one. Hopefully the next one will match the taxonomic groups, which have been influenced enthusiasm and have a wider representation. A greatly by bird experts who have built up a wealth toast to the organisers, particularly, Joanne of experience in many wildlife areas. Earnhardt, Devra Kleiman, Fred Launay, Lincoln Park Zoo and the Reintroduction Specialist Group. Presentations of interest, other than case studies, were on: What constituted reintroduction success, Disease risk assessment, the Science of Subject break up of presentations Reptiles 1, Birds 2, Mammals 5, Fish 1, General 20 reintroduction biology, Questions to be addressed by reintroduction practitioners and Restoration Subject break up of posters ecology contributing to reintroduction biology. These General 14, Amphibians 2, Birds 25, Invertebrates 1, broad subject heads laid a solid foundation to Mammals 18, Reptiles 4 addressing some banal problems and dilemmas in reintroduction practice around the world. The term Climate change impact considerations for reintroduction in all its connotations is used loosely reintroduction programmes causing considerable confusion, angst and Paul Pearce-Kelly and Aylin McNamara, Climate Change trepidation amongst practitioners, enthusiasts and Impacts Group, Zoological Society of London observers who are influenced by their own interpretations and tolerance to what is considered Efforts to better incorporate climate change impact right or wrong in the context of reintroduction dynamics into mainstream threat evaluation and practices. An overwhelming desire to club many conservation processes have realised some significant different forms of a release programmes under advances over the last year. These impact and scientific reintroduction dictates projects and conservation response considerations are, of course, practices, but fortunately, the presentations and equally germane to the reintroduction programme discussions did not delve into these aspects. It was design, implementation and evaluation process. Shifts interesting to note the disparity in definitions of in ecosystem boundaries are likely to mean that current reintroduction by the Reintroduction Specialist Group protected areas will increasingly be less likely to contain and others, but this was restricted just to definition the species and habitats they were established to protect. Novel species assemblages, increased disease and not practice. issues and human/wildlife conflicts are associated stress The poster presentations displayed an immense considerations. Conservation planners need to assess array of practices and skills. Subjects related to the vulnerability of habitat to climate change together scientific practices to animal welfare dominated with the target species climate change vulnerability traits. We will also increasingly need to identify potential issues underlined the diversity in this field. The sites that are not currently protected (and may well fall most impressive of poster presentations was by outside of the target species natural range) but which Paul Pearce-Kelly and Aylin McNamara on Climate may have a higher conservation status under changed change impact considerations for reintroduction climate conditions. When such impacts are sufficiently programmes (Box 2). Albeit a much debated topic, taken into account it is likely that the conservation read in the context presented by Paul, the community will be faced with many species evaluation implications of this emerging threat looms large on outcomes that project complete viable range habitat the practices of reintroduction. A couple of South loss or other equally catastrophic situations. The Asian examples were presented as posters, which traditional conservation approach has always been to were good to see. prioritise the most threatened species but these climate change impact considerations challenge the viability of If there was one area with a lacuna, it was the this approach. It is likely that rolling establishment and skewed participation from the ‘developed’ world. reintroduction programmes will become an increasingly The map of participants highlighted big gaps from essential and common conservation response. biodiversity rich countries in Central and South America, Africa and Asia. Presentations made on * Co-Chair, Reintroduction Specialist Group, South experiences from biodiverse countries were from Asia, email: [email protected] ZOOS' PRINT, Volume XXIII, Number 6, June 2008 (RNI 9:9) 3 First International Wildlife Reintroduction Conference 2008: A personal perspective Anand Ramanathan* Conferences, workshops and symposia in the field with them and in receiving their thoughts and advice of wildlife conservation, ecology and management, to help shape my projects’ outcomes. I was also abound each year either in exotic locales or in interested in improving my knowledge on the elusive (read not so exciting) places usually bringing subject by attending talks and presentations together people working on specific disciplines. But featuring scientific and technological developments the first IUCN RSG International Wildlife in the field. At conferences such as this one, I have Reintroduction Conference (IWRC) held at Lincoln often used the opportunity to build new Park Zoo in Chicago between 15th and 16th April, relationships, initiate project ideas and to 2008 was different and important in that it not only strengthen old collaborations. I have been brought together population and community extremely fortunate to receive brilliant ideas and ecologists, veterinarians, geneticists, wildlife solutions to my existing project issues and have managers, and many other experts from different also met students and researchers who are eager wildlife disciplines, but also people working across a to work with me. wide range of animals from vertebrates to invertebrates under a single arena. The aim of this It was especially important to share IFAW’s work conference was to promote the restoration of locally amidst this audience about the opportunities and extinct wildlife populations by the reintroduction of values of using orphaned wild animals contribute to captive-bred and wild animals and focused on the restocking and reintroducing programs. IFAW’s work evolving field of reintroduction science. Due to the partnered with Wildlife Trust of India and the Assam sudden increase in habitat loss and the state forest department about the reintroduction of fragmentation of wild animal populations, it has hand-reared orphan rhino calves from Kaziranga become increasingly challenging to protect wildlife National Park to help repopulate Manas National habitats through field conservation efforts. Over the Park was well received as a poster presentation. years, wildlife experts have suggested the use of It was also very evident from the presentations and captive populations in a complimentary capacity to the discussions that reintroduction programs can be support conservation of species and habitats. expensive, complex and only some programs have been successful. The need for strong collaboration Over 200 wildlife reintroduction researchers and between wildlife managers, scientists, governments, practitioners from 30 countries in the world got together for the First IWRC which was aptly called ngos, zoos, and conservation centers and above all the involvement of the local community could not be “Applying Science to Conservation”. The conference more emphasized. The ultimate purpose of this brought together many experts in the field of reintroduction science such as Doug Armstrong from conference was to unify a global community with similar interests who are passionate about building Massey University, Philip Seddon from the University a culture of innovative theoretical and applied of Otago, Francois Sarrazin from University Pierre et Marie Curie, George Amato from the American research on reintroductions and using these principles to initiate new strategies to reintroduce Natural History Museum, Andrew Spalton from the wildlife into their natural habitats. Arabian oryx project in Oman, whose presentations assisted the audience to learn from past I have attended several conferences over the years reintroductions, examine their failures, recognize and each conference or workshop presents a the scientific processes that improved their unique opportunity to absorb new developments effectiveness