reintroduction

Reintroduction is the intentional movement and release of a species into part of its native range from which it has disappeared or become locally extinct. It is undertaken to restore ecological function, increase the geographic distribution of a species, and improve the viability of populations by reconnecting habitats and reinforcing genetic diversity. Reintroduction differs from introductions of non-native species, which involve releasing organisms outside their historical range and can have different ecological and legal implications.

Planning typically involves establishing a clear conservation objective, evaluating historical and current habitat suitability, and ensuring that source populations possess genetic and demographic characteristics suitable for translocation. The process includes risk assessment, stakeholder consultation, permits, quarantine, health screening, and post-release monitoring.

Release strategies range from soft release, with temporary acclimation enclosures and gradual exposure, to hard release, where animals are released directly into the environment. Monitoring programs track survival, reproduction, dispersal, and integration with ecosystems, with adaptive management guiding subsequent actions, such as habitat restoration or supplementary releases.

Legal, ethical, and social considerations include impacts on local communities, cultural values, and potential effects on other species. Potential risks include disease transmission, genetic bottlenecks, ecological interactions, and the possibility of failure requiring ongoing management.

Examples include gray wolves reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park and adjacent areas in the 1990s, the Iberian lynx reintroduction in Spain and Portugal, and various bird reintroductions such as the California condor in the southwestern United States. These efforts illustrate diverse taxa and contexts, and outcomes vary with habitat quality, threat control, and continued management.