Reintroduction Programs Research Articles

Emigration and Survival of Hatchery‐Reared Coho Salmon Released as Parr and Smolts in a Reintroduction Program

ABSTRACTReleasing fish at varied life stages is an underutilized hatchery‐rearing practice. Columbia River Treaty tribes have been working to reintroduce extirpated Coho Salmon to historical habitats in upper watersheds. This effort has included the release of hatchery‐origin fish at both the parr and smolt life stages in the Yakima River Basin (Washington State USA), a tributary to the Columbia River. We evaluated releases of parr and smolts tagged with passive integrated transponders over 11 brood years. We assessed emigration timing, fish survival, and age‐at‐return for the two release groups. Emigrating juveniles released as smolts had higher survival and arrived downstream earlier than fish released as parr. Survival from release locations to adult return did not significantly differ for the two release groups. However, we observed a difference in apparent marine survival as fish released as parr had mean juvenile‐to‐adult return rates greater than fish released as smolts. Parr releases also tended to return at older age than smolt releases. Our results indicate that implementing practices to reduce homogenization of hatchery releases may produce survival and diversity benefits as fish mature to later life stages. Given the rapid ecosystem changes Pacific Salmon are experiencing throughout their life cycles, practices such as this may have increasing utility and import.

Gut colonization of semi-aquatic turtles inhabiting the Brazilian Amazon by international clones of CTX-M-8-producing Escherichia coli.

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli poses a significant threat to public health due to its ability to confer resistance to broad-spectrum antimicrobials, especially third-generation cephalosporins. Herein, we report gut colonization by international clones of CTX-M-8-producing E. coli in scorpion mud turtles (Kinosternon scorpioides) from a captive breeding program in the Brazilian Amazon. The E. coli strains exhibited multidrug resistance to clinically relevant antimicrobials, and genomic analyses revealed broad resistomes to antimicrobials, heavy metals, pesticides, and disinfectants. Detecting these medically important bacteria in captive wildlife underscores the potential risks associated with reintroduction programs, as ESBL-producing bacteria may spill over into the natural ecosystem and threaten wildlife. Our findings highlight the need for enhanced surveillance and control measures in wildlife conservation programs to mitigate the risks of antimicrobial resistance transmission between captive and wild populations.

Evaluation of a pilot reintroduction program for dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) juveniles in inshore marine areas off the southeast Brazilian coast

The dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) is a widely distributed epinephelid species. It inhabits the eastern and southwestern Atlantic Ocean, western Indian Ocean, and Mediterranean Sea. Populations of this species have faced significant threats due to various anthropogenic activities, including environmental degradation and intensified fishing effort. To address declining populations, management strategies involving the release of hatchery-reared juveniles have been implemented. This study evaluated the success of a pilot reintroduction program for juvenile dusky grouper by measuring the potential increase in population size in the area. Inshore marine areas along the southeastern Brazilian coast were previously evaluated to determine the best areas for the reintroduction Twenty thousand juvenile dusky groupers (5–10 cm SL) were released at five locations across five selected areas. Assessments were conducted by underwater visual censuses (UVCs) to quantify the presence of juvenile dusky grouper in the selected areas both before and after the releases. Statistical analysis was performed using a Generalized Linear Model (GLM) to estimate the relationship between predictor (number of individuals) and response (release period, depth and sampling points) variables. The results showed a significant increase in juvenile dusky grouper populations at three of the five release areas post-introduction. The methodology employed for stocking dusky grouper juveniles into areas with declining populations demonstrates promise for future conservation efforts aimed at enhancing abundance of this vital marine resource. Results of this research provide valuable insights for the development and implementation of effective conservation programs targeting the recovery of dusky grouper populations.

Small whiteface (Leucorrhinia dubia: Odonata) reintroduction update highlights the importance of long‐term monitoring and regular habitat management

Abstract Freshwater insects, including odonates, have rarely been the target of reintroduction programmes. Furthermore, due to the scarcity of post‐release monitoring, information on factors affecting the long‐term survival of reintroduced populations is lacking. In 2001, the threatened dragonfly Leucorrhinia dubia (Odonata: Libellulidae) was reintroduced into the peatbog in Czechia, and the population had been monitored for fifteen years. The last survey of its demography was conducted in 2017. The present study investigates the current condition of that population by combining exuvial sampling with the capture‐mark‐recapture method for adults. We also focused on the physical features of the habitat and the ability of the population to colonise newly created habitat patches. The current population size is stable (105 exuviae and 96 adults) and comparable to previous monitoring. The acidic bog pools that had been hosting the population since its establishment have undergone succession and disappeared. The remaining single original pool is supporting a considerable proportion of the population (68.6%). In 2016, new pools were created. These alkaline pools with a vegetation composition different from the original pool have been colonised by L. dubia but also predatory newts. Given that their attractiveness to the species is comparable to the original pool, but their reproductive outcome is poorer, the new pools may act as ecological traps. Reintroductions can be effective in preserving threatened odonates. Continuous monitoring and site management, considering the impact of interventions on the entire community, is essential to sustain the reintroduced population over the long term.

Microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA D-loop based analysis of genetic diversity in captive populations of Crocodylus siamensis in China

Reintroduction of threatened species is a common strategy used to mitigate population decline and reduce the risk of extinction. In order to assess the success of such reintroduction programs, it is critical to monitor the demographic and genetic features of reintroduced populations. In this work, we conducted a genetic assessment of the Critically Endangered crocodile species Crocodylus siamensis to determine the genetic diversity, utilising both microsatellite markers and mitochondrial DNA D-loop region. The genetic analysis revealed a moderate level of genetic diversity within the sampled populations, as indicated by the microsatellite markers (Ho = 0.505 ± 0.080; He = 0.297 ± 0.091) and mtDNA D-loop (hd = 0.622 ± 0.061; Pi = 0.01294 ± 0.00041). Notably, 22 distinct haplotypes were observed. Additionally, we identified evidence of hybridisation that might have occurred between C. siamensis and Crocodylus niloticus raising concerns about the potential compromise of the species' genetic integrity. This study represents the first genetic assessment of captive bred C. siamensis populations in China, encompassing both microsatellite and mtDNA D-loop analyses. To ensure preservation of C. siamensis, we recommend identifying and excluding hybrid individuals from conservation programmes. Our findings support the feasibility of implementing breeding and captive management plans for C. siamensis, providing a solid theoretical basis for their reintroduction and captive breeding to safeguard and augment the population of this Critically Endangered freshwater crocodile. This research marks the initial step towards establishing a scientifically sound source population for the conservation of C. siamensis in China. Keywords: protection, reintroduction genotype, haplotypic diversity, nucleotide diversity

Comparing the stress physiology of hard- and soft-released juvenile Atlantic Salmon after transportation for reintroduction

Abstract Objective We examined whether an extended acclimatization period prior to release (soft release) can allow transported fish to recover from the physiological stress associated with transport compared with conventional release methods, which provide fish with no acclimatization period prior to release (hard release). Methods We monitored an Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar stocking team during a standard reintroduction operation and compared their conventional hard-release method (i.e., immediate release after transport with no acclimatization period) to a soft-release method (i.e., 2 and 4 days in-river acclimatization prior to release). Following a 2.5-h transport event, hard-release fish were immediately blood-sampled for their physiological stress response (cortisol, glucose, and lactate). Soft-release fish were blood-sampled for their physiological stress response following 2 or 4 days of in-river acclimatization. Result While hard- and soft-release fish demonstrated significantly higher cortisol, glucose, and lactate concentrations compared with control fish, cortisol concentrations remained elevated for both the hard- and soft-release groups. However, glucose and lactate concentrations were significantly lower in soft-release fish compared with hard-release fish. Conclusion Soft-release provides fish an extended acclimatization period that was found to impact transport-related physiological stress in fish. Our findings will inform management agencies and practitioners focused on improving the success of salmonid stocking and reintroduction programs. Abstract Impact statement Soft release provides fish with an extended acclimatization period that could potentially be used to reduce transport-related physiological stress in fish after release.

Genetic pedigree analyses of Arctic grayling offspring produced to initiate the Michigan reintroduction program

Genetic pedigree analyses of Arctic grayling offspring produced to initiate the Michigan reintroduction program

Historical occurrence of Atlantic sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrinchus Mitchill, 1815, in the tributaries of the Vistula River in Poland

Abstract All known historical accounts of the occurrence of Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus Mitchill) in the tributaries of the Vistula River are presented and analyzed. Sturgeon occurred in most large, medium, and small Vistula tributaries and in the upper reaches of the Vistula River in Silesia. The fish either migrated or strayed there rarely and irregularly, usually as single specimens and mainly during high waters. The data available do not provide evidence that sturgeon spawned successfully in any of the tributaries. In particular, the data do not support the commonly held view that Drwęca was the most important spawning river after 1918, which is the basis of the ongoing sturgeon reintroduction program.

Species diversity assessment from camera traps in a hyper-arid desert ecosystem in central Saudi Arabia

The current biodiversity loss is alarming. Protected areas can be a key strategy to halt and reverse the downward trend. To evaluate their efficiency and to conduct global biodiversity assessments, the availability of reliable data on species occurrence, diversity, and abundance is critical. Camera traps provide these data and have been used extensively in areas with high species richness, such as, temperate and tropical ecosystems, and are currently becoming more prominent in hyper-arid regions. We augment the data from hyper-arid regions by providing one of the first studies on biodiversity of terrestrial mammals and birds using camera traps at sites in central Saudi Arabia. From the deployments at 64 locations in 1.5 years, we observed a total of 59 vertebrate species with 12 species categorized as threatened on the IUCN Red List and an additional 12 that are deemed to have a high conservation priority in Saudi Arabia. This information can contribute to global biodiversity assessments and confirms the importance of the study sites as regional places of refuge. Results from this study also provide information that can support conservation management. We show that water provision was especially important to the sand gazelle. Additionally, observations of newborns of reintroduced species and the presence of predators contribute to evaluating the effectiveness and suitability of reintroduction programs to restore native biodiversity.

Current and future climate suitability for the hazel dormouse in the UK and the impact on reintroduced populations

AbstractReintroductions are increasingly being used as a conservation tool to restore species to areas where they once existed. Unfortunately, many reintroduction projects fail to establish viable populations. Climate suitability at release sites is thought to be important in determining reintroduction outcomes, and future climate change is an essential consideration for effective reintroduction planning. Climate change threatens species in a variety of ways, such as by impacting life history traits or causing spatial and temporal distribution mismatches of interdependent species. Hibernating species, such as the hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius), may be particularly susceptible to changes in climate. For example, milder winters may increase the number of interbout arousals during hibernation, which are energetically costly. Timing of food availability may also be impacted by changing climates, potentially causing mismatches between activity and feeding opportunities. Here, we use species distribution models (SDMs) to map climate suitability for dormice in the UK. We also investigate the impact of climate suitability on a long‐running dormouse reintroduction programme, providing the first such investigation for a reintroduced mammal. We find that higher levels of current climate suitability increase the probability of reintroduction success. We find no effect of climate suitability on adult dormouse counts at reintroduction sites, but dormouse counts decline with time since reintroduction. Future projections predict that climate change may lead to more widespread climate suitability for dormice in the UK, reflecting predicted changes in seasonality, winter temperature and precipitation. Our work demonstrates the importance of understanding changing climate suitability for reintroduction planning, with potential widespread applications of SDMs for conservation projects of low‐dispersing mammals.

The variety of abomasal nematode communities of captive and free-roaming populations of European bison, Bison bonasus (L.): a morphometric and molecular approach.

Most studies concerning parasitic infections in European bison have been performed on free-ranging animals: comparatively little is known about the abomasal nematodes of captive wisents, which are widely used in reintroduction programmes. The aim of the study was to determine the infection level and species composition of abomasal nematodes in captive European bison in enclosures (including zoos) and breeding centres compared to free-ranging individuals. It also includes a morphological analysis of the parasites based on figures and measurement data. Altogether, 11 species of nematodes were detected, with both captive and free-ranging animals demonstrating similar species compositions. Among those, 2 species of blood-sucking nematodes were detected, including Ashworthius sidemi and Haemonchus contortus. Interestingly, A. sidemi was found in almost all free-roaming animals, but only in 1 captive European bison. In addition, H. contortus was predominant in captive animals. The morphological identification was confirmed molecularly for 5 nematode species: A. sidemi, H. contortus, Ostertagia kolchida, O. ostertagi and Spiculopteragia boehmi. The identification was performed using small subunit ribosomal rDNA. The study provides the first available set of specular lengths of the gastric nematodes of European bison, and the first molecular data of O. kolchida and S. boehmi derived from the same host species. Our findings may simplify the morphometrical and molecular identification of Trichostrongylidae species infecting European bison, and can be useful in developing new management strategies for populations of this near-threatened species in Europe.

Long live the cat: Ocelot population viability in a planned reintroduced population in Texas, USA

AbstractReintroductions are often needed to recover carnivore populations and restore ecological processes. Felids are common subjects of reintroduction efforts, but published population models informing felid reintroduction plans are uncommon, and poor planning has sometimes caused issues in felid reintroduction programs. In the United States, ocelots (Leopardus pardalis pardalis) are classified as endangered, and recovery requires population expansion into historic habitat. A multi‐organization effort is underway to establish a new ocelot population in Texas by releasing ocelots into an area of 478 km2 of suitable habitat in ocelots' historic but now unoccupied range. In this study, we used population viability analyses to compare different ocelot reintroduction strategies for the identified reintroduction area. Based on a potential ocelot breeding program's limitations, we modeled reintroduction using a founding population of no more than six ocelots and no more than four ocelots released per year for no more than 15 subsequent years. Within these limitations, we assessed projected population abundances and extinction risks after 30 years for 20 different reintroduction strategies. We found that long‐term releases are necessary to establish a viable population; under conservative model assumptions, releasing six ocelots in the initial year and then releasing four individuals annually for an additional 10–15 years is necessary for attaining a projected population greater than 36.62 ocelots (baseline) with <6% extinction risk. We also found that ocelot population abundance is about equally sensitive to post‐release mortality and inbreeding depression. This highlights the importance of not only supporting reintroduced ocelots' survival but also managing for high genetic diversity in the reintroduction program. Further, we found that realistic but more liberal assumptions on the carrying capacity of the reintroduction area and the age of first reproduction for ocelots increase projected population abundances (53.95 individuals and 61.26 individuals, respectively), and thus reintroduction success. The model's sensitivity to carrying capacity suggests that long‐term habitat protection and expansion are among the most important management actions to support ocelot reintroduction. Our study establishes the first population viability model for an ocelot reintroduction plan anywhere across the species' wide geographic range, and it reinforces several key considerations for wildlife reintroduction efforts worldwide.

Status Keberlanjutan Program Pelepasliaran Orangutan Sumatera (Pongo abelii L.) di Bentang Alam Bukit Tiga Puluh Provinsi Jambi

This research aims to analyze the sustainability status and analyze sensitive attributes (leverage analysis) on the sustainability of the Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii L.) reintroduction program in the Bukit Tigapuluh Landscape. The analysis was carried out using the RAPFISH method with four dimensions, namely ecological, economic, social and institutional dimensions which were then validated using the Monte Carlo method, determining the stress value and R2 value. Determining sensitive attributes is done using leverage analysis. The research results show that the sustainability status of the Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii L.) reintroduction program in the Bukit Tigapuluh Landscape in the ecological and economic dimensions is quite sustainable, but in the social and institutional dimensions it is less sustainable. The results of the sensitivity analysis showed that of the total of 36 attributes used, 13 sensitive attributes were identified which influenced the sustainability index value of the Sumatran orangutan reintroduction program namely pressure on the area, number and type of nest trees, forest area area, opportunities for competition (intra and between species), level of habitat suitability, contributing to improving the community's economy, average income against UMP, potential tourist attractions, threat of habitat change, conflict management mechanisms, threat of animal hunting, level of community education and information on regulations related to management rules for Sumatran orangutans.

The presence of experienced individuals enhance the behavior and survival of reintroduced woolly monkeys in Colombia

Primate populations are under threat due to human activities, like illegal trafficking, requiring conservation efforts such as reintroduction programs. However, these initiatives often encounter challenges, such as aspects of individual behavior related to movement and foraging. The presence of experienced conspecifics has been suggested to improve the success of these programs. This study focuses on woolly monkeys and examines how the presence of experienced conspecifics influences the performance of reintroduced individuals. Focal animal sampling was used to collect data on proximity, diet composition, home range, and use of vertical strata of three groups of reintroduced woolly monkeys. Data was analyzed for the first 2 and 6 months after release of individuals. The results reveal that the involvement of experienced conspecifics speeds up the process of adaptation, particularly in terms of diet diversity and spatial utilization; however, differences in individual responses were also prevalent. Our findings highlight the importance of incorporating individuals with prior wild experience into reintroduction groups for improving the likelihood of success. Additionally, the study underscores the role of social learning in captive management practices, aiding in post-release behavioral adaptation and survival. This research offers valuable insights for primate conservation, emphasizing the significance of considering the presence of experienced individuals and possible social learning processes in the planning and execution of effective reintroduction efforts.

Leveraging how animals learn in conservation science: Behavioral responses of reintroduced bison to management interventions

AbstractReintroduction programs have increased amid unprecedented biodiversity loss, yet the success of these programs lag. A prominent reason for program failure is dispersal beyond the planned range of the population. Management techniques, such as hazing, can be used to prevent movement beyond set boundaries, but to be effective long‐term, the animals must learn to avoid the areas where they are hazed. Although concepts of animal learning have been used to improve reintroduction programs, learning is not often explicitly tested or used as an indicator of program success. We used a conservation behavior framework to evaluate how a range of management techniques influenced learning in a reintroduced population of bison in Banff National Park, Canada. We hypothesized exposure to stronger negative stimuli would enhance learning, leading to more pronounced behavioral responses. Specifically, we tested the degree to which management actions (i.e., drift fence encounters, foot, horseback, helicopter, and combined hazing) elicited behavioral responses and how they facilitated learning. Consistent with our predictions, drift fence interactions and foot and horseback hazing elicited fewer behavioral responses of a smaller magnitude than helicopter hazing or combined methods, suggesting these techniques cause less disturbance to the bison. Bison continually returned to locations where they encountered management actions that caused the least disturbance, demonstrating a lack of associative learning. Bison appeared to form negative associations with locations where they were hazed via helicopter or combined methods, however, and rarely returned to these locations. Evaluating management techniques is essential for improving conservation success. We demonstrate that by bridging the fields of conservation biology and animal learning, we can understand how management techniques influence learning and behavior thereby facilitating effective conservation plans that incorporate disruption levels of the animals, financial costs, and overall effectiveness. Effective conservation plans, in turn, improve our likelihood of successfully managing and recovering species.

Exploring the scalability and sustainability of community-based agroforestry to achieve planetary health benefits in Haiti’s Lower Artibonite Valley

Community-based agroforestry, as a planetary health solution, can rebuild fertile soils, minimize climate risk, diversify farmer incomes, and provide a source of food, raw materials, and other vital ecosystem functions. Utilizing focus groups, individual semi-structured interviews, and field observations, we studied how the Haiti Timber Reintroduction Program (HTRIP), an agroforestry program operating in Haiti since 2005, leveraged institutional infrastructures and social networks to facilitate the adoption, scaling, and sustainability of community-based agroforestry as a solution for planetary health. Results show that the adoption and scaling of community-based agroforestry was facilitated by support from institutional and social networks. The results underscore the importance of cross-sector collaboration and coordination in creating the enabling conditions necessary for successful community-based agroforestry implementation. Additionally, strengthened social networks, cultivated through long-term participation in the HTRIP, contributed to the program’s sustainability. While competing socio-political problems in some low-income settings may seem insurmountable—particularly those in fragile states, where our study took place—our research demonstrates that community-based agroforestry solutions are possible. Where culturally relevant, this ecologically and socially based practice could be scaled up to amplify its benefits to more communities. We encourage further research to explore the scaling up of regenerative practices such as agroforestry for climate resilience and planetary health.

Seasonal and Sexual Variations in Corticosterone and Total Triiodothyronine: A Pilot Study in Mediterranean Tortoises (Testudo hermanni).

The Mediterranean tortoise Testudo hermanni inhabits different regions bordering the northwestern Mediterranean. This species is vulnerable, protected by legislation, and involved in various breeding and reintroduction programs. Wild populations face numerous environmental and anthropogenic stressors that can potentially interfere with their conservation. While seasonal changes in stress-response biomarkers, such as glucocorticoids and thyroid hormones, have been widely studised in mammals and birds, there is a paucity of research in reptile species. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the seasonal fluctuations in corticosterone and total triiodothyronine levels in adult and juvenile Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni) as a measure of the physiological stress response. Blood samples were collected seasonally (winter, spring, summer, and autumn) and posteriorly analyzed by using a specific and validated enzyme immunoassay for both hormones, respectively. The results showed that corticosterone levels varied seasonally and differed between sexes, whereas total triiodothyronine levels changed seasonally but did not differ between sexes. Notably, juveniles exhibited no seasonal changes in either corticosterone or total triiodothyronine levels. Additionally, no correlation between blood extraction duration and hormonal concentrations was observed. This study is pioneering in its comprehensive evaluation of corticosterone and total triiodothyronine changes across all four seasons, including winter, and its focus on juvenile Hermann's tortoises.

Gut microbiota dynamics of adult and sub‐adult sika deer during reintroduction

AbstractPrey populations significantly influence the distribution of top predators. The sika deer (Cervus nippon), a key prey species for the Amur tiger in Northeast China, plays a critical role in the recovery and dispersal of Amur tiger populations. Reintroduction is a pivotal strategy for restoring prey populations, but it presents challenges, especially in terms of adaptation to the natural environment during the natural training process before animals are released. In this study, we sampled six adult and six sub‐adult sika deer and employed high‐throughput sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene to investigate changes in gut microbial diversity, composition, and function during natural training. The results showed that adult sika deer had higher gut microbiota diversity compared to sub‐adults. However, as natural training progressed, the gut microbial diversity in sub‐adults approached that of adults. Additionally, beneficial, fiber‐digesting bacteria associated with adaptation to the natural environment tended to increase during nature training in both adult and sub‐adult sika deer, while pathogenic bacteria tended to decrease. We also compared the metabolic function of the gut microbiota in adult and sub‐adult sika deer, which showed that the carbohydrate metabolic function of both adults and sub‐adults decreased significantly with natural training, declining more rapidly in sub‐adults. Conversely, the lipid metabolic function in sub‐adults increased significantly with natural training. Overall, a period of nature training is necessary before reintroducing animals to their natural habitats, and sub‐adult sika deer, in particular, exhibit greater adaptability to environmental changes as reflected by their gut microbiota dynamics. These findings offer valuable insights for the reintroduction of sika deer and other ungulates. We recommend incorporating natural training in reintroduction programs and prioritizing sub‐adult animals for reintroduction.

Evaluating the Effects of Viruses on Eastern Indigo Snakes (Drymarchon couperi) with Gastric Cryptosporidiosis.

A breeding colony of wild-origin eastern indigo snakes (EISs, Drymarchon couperi) that is part of a reintroduction program has been impacted by gastric cryptosporidiosis. Gastric cryptosporidiosis is an insidious disease of squamates caused by an apicomplexan protozoan, Cryptosporidium serpentis. Viral coinfections have been implicated as possible immunosuppressant agents that allow for disease progression and both adenovirus and reovirus have been implicated in allowing for the progression of gastric cryptosporidiosis during coinfection in other snake species. Molecular (PCR) screening for adenoviruses and reoviruses was performed for both C. serpentis-positive and C. serpentis-negative EIS within the breeding colony. No reoviruses were detected in the collection. Adenoviruses were present in 11/68 (16.2%) EISs evaluated, and there was no significant difference between C. serpentis-positive and C. serpentis-negative EISs (p = 0.196). There was no significant difference in adenovirus status between C. serpentis-positive EISs' lifespan (p = 0.191) or survival rates (p = 0.823). These findings suggest that the presence of the adenoviruses found in this study does not contribute to the formation or progression of gastric cryptosporidiosis in EISs.

A case of mortality in a re-introduced European bison associated with severe pneumonia caused by Dictyocaulus viviparus

BackgroundDictyocaulosis is a parasitic disease caused by pulmonary nematodes from genus Dictyocaulus affecting various ungulate hosts. It can cause verminous bronchopneumonia and for heavily infected individuals, fatal outcomes can occur.Case presentationThe study describes the case of a male European bison which died three months after relocation from Slovakia to one of the reintroduction areas in Nucșoara village, Făgăraș Mountains, Romania. Necropsy revealed the presence of pulmonary nematodes in the respiratory tract. Morphology and molecular diagnosis was performed and Dictyocaulus viviparus was identified.ConclusionRigorous health monitoring is essential to assure the success of reintroduction programs, understanding and preventing infectious diseases and limiting their impact on population health.