Feasibility of translocating panthers into northern Florida
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Published source details
Belden R.C. & Hagedorn B.W. (1993) Feasibility of translocating panthers into northern Florida. Journal of Wildlife Management, 57, 388-397.
Published source details Belden R.C. & Hagedorn B.W. (1993) Feasibility of translocating panthers into northern Florida. Journal of Wildlife Management, 57, 388-397.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Use holding pens at release site prior to release of translocated mammals Action Link |
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Use holding pens at release site prior to release of translocated mammals
A study in 1988–1989 in forest and swamp habitats in Florida and Georgia, USA (Belden & Hagedorn 1993) found that after being held in holding pens at the release site, more than half of translocated mountain lions Puma concolor survived over three months. Four out of seven translocated mountain lions survived at least 124–303 days after release. Individuals that had been in the wild >35 days established 96–930-km2 home ranges. However, during the hunting season, these home ranges were abandoned. At least three mountain lions died during the study, including one that was shot. In 1988, seven mountain lions were captured in Texas and flown to Florida. They were released as a trial for evaluating the feasibility of translocating Florida panthers Puma concolor coryi. Animals were sterilized, radio-collared and kept in holding pens for one week before release. They were monitored six days/week for 306 days from an airplane. Before translocation, the study area (>12,000 km2) had no mountain lions but had a high abundance of deer and wild hog and a low density of humans.
(Summarised by: Ricardo Rocha)
