Reintroduction of Top-Order Predators

Large predators are among the most threatened species on the planet and ways of conserving them in the face of increasing human populations and associated resource requirements are becoming critical. This book draws upon the experiences of some of the world’s foremost large carnivore specialists to discuss the numerous issues associated reintroducing large predators back into their natural habitats. Reviews of internationally renowned reintroduction programs for wolves, European lynx and African wild dog reveal the successes and failures of these actions. Experts on tigers, snow leopards and jaguars contend that there are other conservation options of higher priority that will ensure their security in the long-term. Other experts discuss more theoretical aspects such as whether we know enough about these species to be able to predict their behavioural or ecological response to the reintroduction process. Social, economic, political and genetic considerations are also addressed.

Contributors x Foreword by Hans Kruuk xiii Acknowledgements xvi 1. Reintroduction of Top-Order Predators: Using Science to Restore One of the Drivers of Biodiversity 1 Matt W. Hayward and Michael J. Somers 2. A Critical Assessment of South Africa’s Managed Metapopulation Recovery Strategy for African Wild Dogs 10 Harriet T. Davies-Mostert, M. Gus L. Mills and David W. Macdonald 3. Reintroduction Decisions Taken at the Incorrect Social Scale Devalue their Conservation Contribution: The African Lion in South Africa 43 Rob Slotow and Luke T.B. Hunter 4. Recovery of Eurasian Lynx in Europe: What Part has Reintroduction Played? 72 John D.C. Linnell, Urs Breitenmoser, Christine Breitenmoser-Würsten, John Odden and Manuela von Arx 5. Reintroduction of Wolves to Yellowstone National Park: History, Values and Ecosystem Restoration 92 Douglas W. Smith and Edward E. Bangs Copyrighted Material 6. Aspects and Implications of Bear Reintroduction 126 Joseph D. Clark 7. Tiger Reintroduction in India: Conservation Tool or Costly Dream? 146 A.J.T. Johnsingh and M.D. Madhusudan 8. Snow Leopards: Is Reintroduction the Best Option? 164 Rodney M. Jackson and Som B. Ale 9. The Suitability of the Jaguar (Panthera onca) for Reintroduction 187 Marcella J. Kelly and Scott Silver 10. The Status and Conservation of Leopards and Other Large Carnivores in the Congo Basin, and the Potential Role of Reintroduction 206 Philipp Henschel 11. Reintroducing the Dingo: Can Australia’s Conservation Wastelands be Restored? 238 Chris R. Dickman, Alistair S. Glen and Mike Letnic 12. The Role of Social Behaviour in Carnivore Reintroductions 270 Michael J. Somers and Markus Gusset 13. Survival of Cheetahs Relocated from Ranchland to Fenced Protected Areas in South Africa 282 Kelly Marnewick, Matt W. Hayward, Deon Cilliers and Michael J. Somers 14. A Framework for Evaluating Reintroduction Success in Carnivores: Lessons from African Wild Dogs 307 Markus Gusset 15. A Synthesis of Early Indicators of the Drivers of Predator Conservation on Private Lands in South Africa 321 Peter A. Lindsey, Stephanie S. Romañach and Harriet T. Davies-Mostert 16. Moving Beyond the Descriptive: Predicting the Responses of Top-Order Predators to Reintroduction 345 Matt W. Hayward 17. Genetic Considerations in Reintroduction Programmes for Top-Order, Terrestrial Predators 371 Richard Frankham 18. Breeding Far Eastern Leopards for Reintroduction: The Zoo Programme Perspective 388 Sarah Christie 19. Lessons Learnt and Plans Laid: Seven Awkward Questions for the Future of Reintroductions 411 David W. Macdonald Index 449