Translocation as a conservation tool to supplement relict bat colonies: a pioneer study with endangered horseshoe bats

Endangered Species Research

Fabio Bontadina¹  Irene C. Weinberger¹  Raphaël Arlettaz¹ 

关键词: Supplementation;    Relocation;    Switzerland;    Rhinolophus ferrumequinum;    Rhinolophus hipposideros;   

DOI  :  10.3354/esr00196

学科分类：动物科学

来源: Inter-Research

【 摘 要 】

ABSTRACT: Relocation has become an important tool in conservation biology. So far little is known about the suitability of translocation to restore bat populations. We evaluated the conditions for successful translocations amongst 2 bat species: the greater horseshoe bat Rhinolophus ferrumequinum and the lesser horseshoe bat R. hipposideros. Both species underwent a dramatic decline in Western and Central Europe in the second half of the 20th century, but some populations have recently started to recover. Due to their sedentary habits, natural recolonisation of their formerly vast inhabited range advances only slowly. Translocation could solve this problem. In 2006, we conducted translocation experiments with 11 greater and 7 lesser horseshoe bats within Switzerland. Bats were captured at large colonies, released into relict colonies, radiotracked for up to 10 d and checked for presence during the following years. Ten out of the 13 individuals released at distances <20 km from the donor roost homed. None of the 5 bats released at distances >40 km expressed homing tendencies. Within 3 d of release, 1 greater and 3 lesser horseshoe bats died (2 of shock). Lesser horseshoe bats seem to react very sensitively to translocation. Long-distance translocation of 2 greater horseshoe bats led to short-term settlement in the release area; since its translocation, the sole female released at long distance has been regularly observed in the receiver colony. Apparent species–specific differences in tolerance to translocation underline the necessity of studying the focal species instead of surrogate species in translocation projects.

【 授权许可】

Unknown