"Breeding threatened mammals in fenced, predator-free areas is a common conservation strategy in Australia. The method is designed to protect vulnerable species and breed animals for release into the wild.

But our research – involving a cute, digging mammal known as a woylie – suggests the strategy may put animals at a distinct disadvantage once they’re fending for themselves.

We found animals bred in fenced conservation areas, known as “havens”, lost traits they need to detect and escape predators. It’s likely this made them less able to survive in the wild." #science #conservation #Australia #marsupials #CaptiveBreeding #animals #nature #endangered #AnimalBehaviour #rewilding #woylies #bettongs #mammals

'Too small and carefree': endangered animals released into the wild may lack the match-fitness to evade predators https://theconversation.com/too-small-and-carefree-endangered-animals-released-into-the-wild-may-lack-the-match-fitness-to-evade-predators-206927

The #GalápagosNationalPark Directorate, in collaboration with the organization #GalápagosConservancy, released the 86 #hatchlings, aged between 5 & 6 years, of the #Chelonoidis #hoodensis #species that is #endemic to #EspañolaIsland in the #Galápagos .
The #animals come from the #CaptiveBreeding center of #SantaCruzIsland - located in the center of the #archipelago

https://www.laprensalatina.com/86-captive-bred-galapagos-tortoises-released-into-native-habitat/amp/

#GoodNews #nature #wildlife #tortoises #SeaCreatures #MarineBiology #ecology #biodiversity #ProtectTheWild

Rare birds are a winner on Mastodon - so let's see how a rare animal goes. Tasmanian Devils (Sarcophilus) are known for their ferocity - so this one is sitting up and showing how cute they are!
#Photography #NaturePhotography #ThreatenedAnimal #RareAnimal #TasmanianDevil #HealesvilleSanctuary #CaptiveBreeding #Victoria #Australia #CuteDevil #AnimalsOfMastodon

A #tiger escaped from a residence and roamed the countryside outside Johannesburg, South Africa, for four days this month. It attacked a man and killed several animals.

Tigers aren’t native to South Africa and are considered an alien species. Its escape highlights the country’s controversial commercial captive breeding industry and the key role South Africa plays in the international big cat trade.

#TrophyHunting
#CaptiveBreeding
#AlienSpecies

https://theconversation.com/tigers-in-south-africa-a-farming-industry-exists-often-for-their-body-parts-198238

“Animals bred in captivity experience significant physical and behavioural changes that may disadvantage their survival chances once released into the wild.”

“Between 1999 and 2009, 423 orange-bellied parrots were released at Birch’s Inlet near Strahan in western Tasmania, and all of them died,” is a hard statistic to read!

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/nov/21/animals-bred-in-captivity-develop-physical-changes-that-may-hinder-survival-in-the-wild-research-finds

#Tasmania #conservation #CaptiveBreeding

Paper is here:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/brv.12913?af=R

“Animals bred in captivity experience significant physical and behavioural changes that may disadvantage their survival chances once released into the wild.”

“Between 1999 and 2009, 423 orange-bellied parrots were released at Birch’s Inlet near Strahan in western Tasmania, and all of them died,” is a hard statistic to read!

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/nov/21/animals-bred-in-captivity-develop-physical-changes-that-may-hinder-survival-in-the-wild-research-finds

#Tasmania #conservation #CaptiveBreeding

Paper is here:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/brv.12913?af=R