Identifying conservation translocations
In deciding whether the guidelines apply two fundamental questions should be addressed:
- is it a translocation?
- is it a conservation translocation?
This guidance refers only to species that are being reintroduced or translocated for conservation purposes. Any species that are being introduced or translocated for habitat restoration or fisheries stock management purposes falls outside the scope of this guidance.
Translocation
A translocation will always involve the release of an animal or plant into the wild. In some cases, whilst this would be the ultimate objective, releases may not take place for a period of time. Proposals that do not involve a release will not come under this definition.
Careful judgement is required here. Releases into areas of private land where effective containment is not reasonably certain should be considered as a release into the wild. For example, the release of beavers into an enclosure is treated as a release “into the wild”.
Captive rearing programmes often include collection of broodstock from a wild population, rearing of their offspring and subsequent release. However, breeding stock from an existing captive population may also be used:
- release of progeny born in a captive breeding programme into the wild will constitute a translocation regardless of the provenance of the breeding stock
- where individuals are collected from the wild to be used as broodstock, the Conservation Translocations process described here must be followed and agreed prior to any collection of adults. This is to avoid potentially having to destroy captive reared progeny in the event that the Conservation Translocation is declined
Where a release is into the wild but within the range that the individual would reasonably be expected to move within naturally, it is unlikely to constitute a translocation. In these instances, we would consider this a re-release into the same area. For example, when a wild animal is temporarily taken into captivity for welfare reasons—such as illness, or injury—and is later returned to the wild.
When a wild animal is temporarily taken from the wild for scientific purposes and then returned to the wild – this would not constitute a translocation. However, a Species Licence or Home Office Licence may still be required.
Conservation translocation
To be considered a “conservation translocation” the intended benefits must go beyond simply the preservation of the translocated individuals.
Benefits must be measurable at a population or other relevant nature related metric scale for the species concerned (e.g. working towards delivery of Favourable Conservation Status).
Where a release is into the wild but within the range that the individual would reasonably be expected to move within naturally, it is unlikely to constitute a translocation. In these instances, we would consider this a re-release into the same area. For example, when a wild animal is temporarily taken into captivity for welfare reasons—such as illness, or injury—and is later returned to the wild, this does not constitute a conservation translocation.
Any species that is being introduced or translocated for habitat restoration purposes falls outside the scope of this guidance e.g. use of green hay, tree planting.
When a wild animal is temporarily taken from the wild for scientific purposes and then returned to the wild – this would not constitute a conservation translocation. However, a Species Licence or Home Office Licence may still be required.
Re-release of individuals taken from the wild and reared in captivity prior to being returned to either the site where they were taken or a new site to strengthen populations, will constitute a conservation translocation.
Any species that is subject to a conservation translocation must be allowed time to establish within the environment and not be recaptured or harvested.
Hypothetical examples potential conservation translocations
Example 1
Captive-bred Red Squirrels will be released into a local woodland to boost a declining population. It is hoped that future surveys will indicate that the population has stabilised or increased.
This is a conservation translocation. There is a clear intention to deliver a measurable conservation benefit at the population scale. Release of captive bred stock into the wild is covered by the IUCN guidelines.
Example 2
A previously unutilised non-native tree species will be planted in a commercial forest. Research has indicated that the species has great potential to provide a biomass crop.
This is not a conservation translocation. There is no intended measurable conservation benefit, the objectives are purely commercial.
Example 3
Captive-bred Freshwater Pearl Mussels will be released into a river to reinforce the existing population. It is hoped that future surveys will indicate that the population has stabilised or increased.
This is a conservation translocation. There is a clear intention to deliver a measurable conservation benefit at the population scale. Release of captive bred stock into the wild is covered by the IUCN guidelines.
Example 4
It is proposed to release captive bred Brown Trout into a river or stillwater to provide stock solely for the purpose of recreational fishing.
This is not a conservation translocation. This activity would be for fisheries management purposes not species conservation.
Example 5
It is proposed to reinforce a population of Shoredock by introducing plants that have been propagated ex-situ from seed collected from that site, into a site where it already exists.
This is a conservation translocation. There is a clear conservation benefit to the reinforcement as it will bolster the existing population. Collection of seeds and propagation to release into the wild is covered by the IUCN guidelines.
Example 6
An area of estuary is proposed to have planting of seagrass reintroduced into it through seed bags and rhizome transplantation to help expand seagrass habitat, create nursery habitats for fish and to act as a carbon sink.
This is not a Conservation translocation. Although there is a clear conservation benefit as it is restoring a species that has been lost to the area, the primary aim is to restore a habitat and ecosystem function by a habitat for other species.