Abstract
Translocations are an important conservation tool used to restore at-risk species to their historical range. Unavoidable procedures during translocations, such as habitat disturbance, capture, handling, processing, captivity, transport and release to a novel environment, have the potential to be stressful for most species. In this study, we examined acute and chronic stress (through the measurement of the glucocorticoid corticosterone) in a rare reptile (the tuatara, Sphenodon punctatus). We found that: (i) the acute corticosterone response remains elevated during the initial translocation process but is not amplified by cumulative stressors; and (ii) the long-term dynamics of corticosterone secretion are similar in translocated and source populations. Taken together, our results show that translocated tuatara are generally resistant to cumulative acute stressors and show no hormonal sign of chronic stress. Translocation efforts in tuatara afford the potential to reduce extinction risk and restore natural ecosystems.
Highlights
Translocations are human-assisted movements of living organisms from one area to another and are an important tool for conservation efforts and population restoration of species at risk (Armstrong and Seddon, 2008; Ewen et al, 2012; Seddon et al, 2014)
Our findings were as follows: (i) plasma CORT concentrations remain elevated throughout the initial translocation process but are not amplified by cumulative stressors; and (ii) the long-term dynamics of CORT secretion are similar in translocated and source populations
Our results show that tuatara are generally resilient to cumulative acute stressors and to chronic translocation stress
Summary
Translocations are human-assisted movements of living organisms from one area to another and are an important tool for conservation efforts and population restoration of species at risk (Armstrong and Seddon, 2008; Ewen et al, 2012; Seddon et al, 2014). The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recognizes two types of conservation translocation to restore populations, namely (i) reinforcements, in which individuals are released into an existing population of conspecifics to enhance the sustainability of populations, and (ii) reintroductions, in which individuals are released in a historically occupied area in order to re-establish a population after extirpation. These types of movements are aimed at helping species, the translocation process is inherently stressful, because associated procedures, such as habitat disturbance, capture, handling, processing, captivity, transport and release to a novel environment, are necessary. Stress induced by the initial translocation process and relocation to a novel environment increases the vulnerability of individuals to reproductive failure, disease, starvation, predation and longrange dispersal, thereby decreasing the chance that individuals will survive and that a self-sustaining population will result (Teixeira et al, 2007; Dickens et al, 2009, 2010; Parker et al, 2012)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
