Downside risk of wildlife translocation

Area of Science:

• Wildlife ecology and conservation
• Disease ecology and management
• Wildlife disease transmission

Background:

• Wildlife translocation is a common practice for population enhancement, reintroduction, and human-wildlife conflict mitigation.
• However, translocation carries unintended consequences, including increased animal stress, mortality, negative impacts on resident wildlife, and disease spread.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and discuss the challenges associated with curtailing wildlife translocation practices in the USA.
• To highlight the risks translocation poses to disease management initiatives, particularly for rabies in North America.

Main Methods:

• Review of documented incidents of disease spread via translocation.
• Analysis of challenges in regulating animal movement by the public, nuisance wildlife control operators, and wildlife rehabilitators.

Main Results:

• Translocation has facilitated the spread of specific rabies variants (e.g., Texas gray fox, coyote, raccoon) beyond their native ranges.
• The emergence of raccoon rabies in the eastern United States is linked to translocation events.
• Substantial challenges exist in curtailing translocation activities by various stakeholders.

Conclusions:

• The practice of wildlife translocation is increasingly questioned due to its potential to disrupt disease containment efforts.
• Effective curtailment of translocation requires addressing movements by the public and wildlife management professionals.
• Translocation poses a significant threat to international wildlife disease management initiatives, especially for rabies control.