Conservation translocation is the deliberate movement of a plant or animal from one site for release in another for conservation purposes.

Translocation covers the entire process including planning, the transfer and release of individuals of the species, monitoring and post-release management.

Why you might carry out conservation translocation

Individuals of a species used in a conservation translocation may be taken from the wild or be captive bred populations.

Translocations can be carried out for different reasons. For example to:

• reintroduce a species
• reinforce an existing species population to prevent extinction
• promote a particular ecological outcome

These should take account of, and contribute to:

• improving the resilience of ecosystems
• diversity between and within ecosystems
• the connectivity, scale, condition and adaptability of ecosystems
  
  

Conservation translocations can be useful when a species cannot naturally move to new or existing suitable habitats because of barriers, fragmentation or other pressures. They may help address threats such as habitat loss, persecution and climate change, but only after considering whether more low-risk actions i.e. protecting existing habitat or reducing other pressures, would be safer by ensuring animal welfare and more cost‑effective.

Translocations are only appropriate when the benefits clearly outweigh risks and when measures are in place to manage uncertainty or potential risks. In Wales, these activities must follow NRW guidance and involve cross‑border cooperation where necessary, especially near English boundaries or where species may disperse beyond Wales. They should also form part of a longer-term and large scale plan, rather than being a series of short-term and ad hoc measures.

What is not considered a conservation translocation

Relocating animals during development activities is not usually considered a conservation translocation.

This approach does not cover the use of species for biocontrol or translocations undertaken for fisheries management purposes.

Identifying conservation translocations

Some proposals will obviously constitute a conservation translocation, but for others it may be less clear. Translocations which are not for conservation purposes that do not come under this definition include:

·      Most ‘capture and rescue’ operations to remove protected species from development sites.

·      translocations for the purpose of animal rescue and rehabilitation

·      translocations for conflict resolution

·      translocations for fisheries stock management purposes.

·      translocations for commercial aquaculture purposes

In deciding whether the guidelines apply two fundamental questions should be addressed:

·      Is it a translocation?

·      Is it a conservation translocation?

Is it a 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. The release of beavers into an enclosure is treated as a release “into the wild”. See Natural Resources Wales / Beaver licensing.

Where a release is into the wild but within the range that the individual would reasonably be expected to move naturally it is unlikely to constitute a translocation. In these instances, we would usually consider this a re-release into the same area.

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 License or Home Office Licence may still be required.

Is it a 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 License 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[TH1] [TH2] [LH3] 

Captive-bred arctic charr will be released into a lake 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 trout into a river or stillwater with wild trout present, to provide stock solely for the purpose of recreational fishing[TH4] [LH5] [BW6] [BW7] [LH8] [LD9] [LH10] .

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.

Example 7

It is proposed to supplement a population of Blue Mussels by releasing seed mussels on a seabed aquaculture lay in a coastal area.

This is not a conservation translocation. This is because the goal of the reintroduction is to boost the numbers of a species that are primarily for food production through aquaculture and the end result is to maximise profits.

Translocations and development planning

The primary objective of most planning-related translocation proposals will be to allow a development to take place by relocating individuals of a protected species to support avoidance of adverse impacts on a local population.

Rarely there may be instances where a proposed translocation intends wider conservation benefits to support the conservation of a species from the development site. Only in these cases will the IUCN guidelines apply. It is likely that such cases will be restricted to large schemes such as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) and Developments of National Significance.

When considering a planning-related translocation ask the following question:

·      Is it intended that the translocation will benefit a different recipient population as well as the rescued individuals, and/or that moving these individuals is intended to achieve specific conservation outcomes at the release site or in the wider environment?

If you answer “yes” you must consult the Conservation Translocations (CT) co-ordinator: ConservationTranslocations@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk. They will provide initial advice on whether the proposal meets the definition, and if so, agree roles and timeframes for considering it. This initial advice will be provided within 10 working days for development planning cases.

Hypothetical examples of potential development planning related conservation translocations

Example 1

A new housing development will result in the loss of Great Crested Newt habitat. Individuals at risk will be transported from a development site and released into a nearby area of habitat not at risk from the development.

This is not a conservation translocation as it benefits only the translocated individuals and the local population at risk from the development and proposes no wider ecological benefits.

Example 2

Water voles at risk will be translocated from the development site and released into another suitable site where there is a declining population. The objectives are to both protect the at-risk individuals and reinforce the recipient population.

This is a conservation translocation as the relocation is intended to also benefit the recipient population, and not just the individuals affected by the development.