Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Primates: Hide food in containers (including boxes and bags) Two before-and-after studies in the USA and Ireland found that the addition of browse to food in boxes, baskets or tubes increased activity levels and foraging behaviours in lemurs and gibbons. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1316https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1316Wed, 12 Oct 2016 14:28:15 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Primates: Present food frozen in ice Two replicated and before-and-after studies in the USA and Ireland, found that when food was presented in ice, feeding time increased and inactivity decreased.  Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1321https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1321Wed, 12 Oct 2016 15:05:37 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Primates: Maximise both horizontal and vertical food presentation locations One controlled study in the UK and Madagascar found that when food was hung in trees in an outdoor enclosure, less time was spent feeding on food in the indoor enclosure. One replicated, before-and-after study in the UK reported that monkeys spent longer feeding in bowls positioned at the top of an enclosure than in bowls positioned on the floor.  Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1328https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1328Thu, 13 Oct 2016 08:22:00 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Primates: Formulate diet to reflect nutritional composition of wild foods (including removal of domestic fruits) One before-and-after study in the USA found that replacing milk with fruit juice in gorilla diets led to a decrease in regurgitation and reingestion. One replicated, before-and-after study in the UK found that when lemurs were fed a fruit-free diet aggression and self-directed behaviour were lower.  Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1329https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1329Thu, 13 Oct 2016 08:27:19 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Primates: Change the number of feeds per day Two before-and-after studies in Japan and the USA found that when the number of feeds per day were increased the amount of time spent feeding increased in chimpanzees, but hair eating also increased in baboons.  Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1337https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1337Thu, 13 Oct 2016 08:44:38 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Primates: Feed individuals in social groups One replicated, controlled study in the USA reported that an enrichment task took less time to complete when monkeys were in social groups than when feeding alone. One before-and-after study in Italy found that in the presence of their groupmates monkeys ate more unfamiliar foods during the first encounter.  Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1343https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1343Thu, 13 Oct 2016 08:56:07 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Prohibit (livestock) farmers from entering protected areas One before-and-after, site comparison in Rwanda found that the number of young gorillas increased after cattle were removed from a protected area, alongside other interventions. A before-and-after study in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo found that a mountain gorilla population decreased over time following the removal of livestock from a number of protected areas, alongside other interventions. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1432https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1432Tue, 17 Oct 2017 09:58:38 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Humans chase primates using random loud noise One controlled, replicated, before-and-after study in Indonesia found that in areas where noise deterrents were used, along with tree nets, crop raiding by orangutans was reduced. One study in the Democratic Republic Congo found that chasing gorillas and using random noise resulted in the return of gorillas from plantations to areas close to protected forest. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1449https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1449Tue, 17 Oct 2017 11:53:30 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Provide non-monetary benefits to local communities for sustainably managing their forest and its wildlife (e.g. better education, infrastructure development) One before-and-after study in the Republic of Congo found that 70% of the central chimpanzees reintroduced to an area where local people were provided non-monetary benefits, alongside other interventions, survived over seven years. One before-and-after study in India found that numbers of hoolock gibbons increased by 66% over five years after providing local communities with alternative income, alongside other interventions. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1510https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1510Wed, 18 Oct 2017 15:39:00 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Resettle illegal human communities (i.e. in a protected area) to another location One review on mountain gorillas in Uganda found that no more gorillas were killed after illegal settlers were relocated from the area, alongside other interventions. One before-and-after study in the Republic of Congo found that most reintroduced chimpanzees survived over five years after human communities were resettled, from the protected area alongside other interventions. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1515https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1515Thu, 19 Oct 2017 09:12:23 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Wear face-masks to avoid transmission of viral and bacterial diseases to primates One study in Uganda found that a confiscated young chimpanzee was reunited with its mother after being handled by caretakers wearing face-masks, alongside other interventions. One before-and-after study in Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo found that numbers of mountain gorillas increased by 168% over 41 years while being visited by researchers and visitors wearing face-masks, alongside other interventions. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1537https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1537Thu, 19 Oct 2017 13:58:17 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Limit time that researchers/tourists are allowed to spend with habituated animals One controlled study in Indonesia found that reintroduced Sumatran orangutans that spent limited time with caretakers acted more similar to wild orangutans than orangutans that spend more time with caretakers, alongside other interventions. One before-and-after study in Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo found that numbers of mountain gorillas increased by 168% over 41 years while being visited by researchers and visitors during a restricted amount of time, alongside other interventions. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1539https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1539Thu, 19 Oct 2017 15:12:10 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Parrot’s feather: Reduction of trade through legislation and codes of conduct One randomized, before-and-after trial in the Netherlands reported that the implementation of a code of conduct reduced the trade of aquatic plants banned from sale (group that included parrot’s feather Myriophyllum aquaticum). One study in the USA found that parrot’s feather plants were still traded despite a state-wise trade ban. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1604https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1604Fri, 20 Oct 2017 15:14:50 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Amphibians: Identify and breed a similar species to refine husbandry techniques prior to working with target species Two small, replicated interlinked studies in Brazil found that working with a less-threatened surrogate species of frog first to establish husbandry interventions promoted successful breeding of a critically endangered species of frog. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1862https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1862Thu, 18 Jan 2018 16:03:54 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Amphibians: Vary enclosure temperature to simulate seasonal changes in the wild One small, replicated study in Italy found that one of six females bred following a drop in temperature from 20-24 to 17°C, and filling of an egg laying pond. One replicated, before-and-after study in Australia that provided a pre-breeding cooling period, alongside allowing females to gain weight before the breeding period, separating sexes during the non-breeding period, providing mate choice for females and playing recorded mating calls, increased breeding success. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1864https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1864Thu, 18 Jan 2018 16:32:22 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Amphibians: Vary artificial rainfall to simulate seasonal changes in the wild Two replicated, before-and-after studies in Germany and Austria found that simulating a wet and dry season, as well as being moved to an enclosure with more egg laying sites and flowing water in Austria, stimulated breeding and egg deposition. In Germany, no toadlets survived past 142 days old. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1872https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1872Fri, 19 Jan 2018 10:13:30 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Amphibians: Provide multiple egg laying sites within an enclosure One replicated study in Australia found that frogs only bred once moved into an indoor enclosure which had various types of organic substrate, allowed temporary flooding, and enabled sex ratios to be manipulated along with playing recorded mating calls. One small, replicated, before-and-after study in Fiji found that adding rotting logs and hollow bamboo pipes to an enclosure, as well as a variety of substrates, promoted egg laying in frogs. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1873https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1873Fri, 19 Jan 2018 10:21:58 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Amphibians: Provide natural substrate for species which do not breed in water (e.g. burrowing/tunnel breeders) Two replicated studies in Australia and Fiji found that adding a variety of substrates to an enclosure, as well as rotting logs and hollow bamboo pipes in one case, promoted egg laying in frogs. The Australian study also temporarily flooded enclosures, manipulated sex ratios and played recorded mating calls. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1874https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1874Fri, 19 Jan 2018 10:30:30 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Amphibians: Provide particular enclosure furniture for calling sites, breeding areas or egg laying sites One replicated study in Fiji found that adding rotting logs and hollow bamboo pipes, as well as a variety of substrates to an enclosure, promoted egg laying in frogs. One before-and-after study in Austria found that captive frogs started breeding when animals were housed in enclosures with more calling, perching and laying sites, as well as simulated wet and dry seasons. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1876https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1876Fri, 19 Jan 2018 10:51:55 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Amphibians: Play recordings of breeding calls to simulate breeding season in the wild One replicated study in Australia found that frogs only bred when recorded mating calls were played, as well as manipulating the sex ratio after frogs were moved into an indoor enclosure which allowed temporary flooding and had various types of organic substrates. One replicated, before-and-after study in Australia found that clutch size of frogs increased when playing recorded mating calls, along with the sexes being separated in the non-breeding periods, providing female mate choice, and allowing females to increase in weight before breeding. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1881https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1881Fri, 19 Jan 2018 13:46:16 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Amphibians: Allow female mate choice One replicated study in Australia found that frogs only bred after females carrying eggs were introduced to males, sex ratios were manipulated, recorded mating calls were played, and after being moved to an indoor enclosure which allowed temporary flooding and had various types of organic substrates. One replicated, before-and-after study in Australia found that clutch size of frogs increased when female mate choice was provided, alongside playing recorded mating calls, sexes being separated in the non-breeding periods, and allowing females to increase in weight before breeding. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1882https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1882Fri, 19 Jan 2018 13:50:02 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Amphibians: Formulate larval diets to improve development or survival to adulthood One randomized, replicated, controlled study in the USA found that tadpoles had a higher body mass and reached a more advanced developmental stage when fed a control diet (rabbit chow and fish food) or freshwater algae, compared to those fed pine or oak pollen. Tadpoles fed only pine or oak pollen did not undergo metamorphosis. One randomised, replicated study in Portugal found that tadpoles reared on a diet containing 46% protein had higher growth rates, survival and body weights at metamorphosis compared to diets containing less protein. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1889https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1889Fri, 19 Jan 2018 14:42:14 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Carnivores: Feed a plant-derived protein diet One replicated, randomized, controlled study and one replicated, controlled study in the USA found that a plant-derived protein diet increased digestible energy and dry matter digestibility but decreased mineral retention and plasma taurine levels in maned wolves compared to a (supplemented) animal-based protein diet. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1903https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1903Wed, 24 Jan 2018 10:15:58 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Carnivores: Scatter food around enclosure One replicated, before-and-after study in Brazil found that scattered feeding increased locomotion in maned wolves. One replicated study in Brazil found that maned wolves spent more time in the section of their enclosure with scattered food than in a section with food on a tray. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1921https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1921Wed, 24 Jan 2018 11:42:29 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Carnivores: Provide live vertebrate prey One before-and-after study in the USA found that hunting behaviour increased and sleeping decreased when a fishing cat was provided with live fish. One replicated, before-and-after study in the USA found that there was no change in the occurrence of stereotypical behaviours in tigers when provided with live fish. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1925https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1925Wed, 24 Jan 2018 12:15:15 +0000
What Works 2021 cover

What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

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