Abstract
ABSTRACTReintroduction programs are important tools in the recovery or establishment of animal populations, but post-release monitoring, essential to evaluate their success, generally lacks in most projects. During the 1990s, a red deer (Cervus elaphus) reintroduction program took place in central Portugal. Almost two decades after the reintroduction, this study aimed to establish the current state of red deer populations. Density estimates were obtained through pellet group counts coupled with distance sampling using 61 linear transects. The results showed that red deer densities are of 3.10 ind./100 ha (95% confidence interval: 1.6–5.9) and this species is widely distributed throughout the area. Due to increase in numbers and range since the beginning of the reintroduction, this program can be considered a case of success; however, future monitoring programs should continue to be developed.EDITED BY Piran White
Highlights
Reintroductions are important tools in conservation programs, allowing community restoring initiatives and species recovery projects (Armstrong & Seddon 2008)
During the 1990s, several reintroduction programs occurred throughout Portugal and one of the most iconic happened in central Portugal (Lousã mountains), where this species has disappeared due mostly to hunting pressure and habitat fragmentation and destruction (Fonseca et al 2007)
In order to evaluate the success of the abovementioned releases, as well as to provide valuable data for management plans, we used an indirect method coupled with distance sampling (Valente et al 2014; Torres et al 2015), to estimate the current density and distribution of red deer populations in Lousã mountains, two decades after their reintroduction
Summary
Reintroductions are important tools in conservation programs, allowing community restoring initiatives and species recovery projects (Armstrong & Seddon 2008). The success of reintroduction programs is low (Beck et al 1994) but as successful reintroductions are more likely to be published, the evaluation of the success of these programs can be biased (Fisher & Lindenmayer 2000) In this context, monitoring populations after their release, as well as assessing ecological relations with the environment (Torres et al 2016), is vital to shed light into the outcome of the reintroduction. The releases took place between 1995 and 1999 and a total of 96 individuals (25 males, 56 females, and 15 fawns) were released in central area of Lousã mountains (Table 1) (Fonseca et al 2007) These animals were originally from other areas in south Portugal, namely the hunting states of Vila Viçosa and Herdade da Contenda. In order to evaluate the success of the abovementioned releases, as well as to provide valuable data for management plans, we used an indirect method (pellet group counting) coupled with distance sampling (Valente et al 2014; Torres et al 2015), to estimate the current density and distribution of red deer populations in Lousã mountains, two decades after their reintroduction
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