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Final COver:Layout 1 12/27/10 9:39 AM Page 1 Global Re-introduction Perspectives: 2010 Additional case-studies from around the globe Edited by Pritpal S. Soorae G l o b a l R e - i n t r o d u c t i o n P e r s p e c t i v e INTERNATIONALUNION s : FORCONSERVATIONOFNATURE 2 0 WORLDHEADQUARTERS 1 RueMauverney28 0 1196Gland,Switzerland [email protected] Tel+41229990000 Fax+41229990002 IUCN/SSC Re-introduction Specialist Group (RSG) www.iucn.org IUCN Founded in 1948, IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) brings together States, government agencies and a diverse range of nongovernmental organizations in a unique world partnership: over 1,000 members in all, spread across some 160 countries. As a Union, IUCN seeks to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable. IUCN builds on the strengths of its members, networks and partners to enhance their capacity and to support global alliances to safeguard natural resources at local, regional and global levels. IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) The SSC is a science-based network of close to 8,000 volunteer experts from almost every country of the world, all working together towards achieving the vision of, “A world that values and conserves present levels of biodiversity.” Environment Agency - ABU DHABI (EAD) The EAD was established in 1996 to preserve Abu Dhabi’s natural heritage, protect our future, and raise awareness about environmental issues. EAD is Abu Dhabi’s environmental regulator and advises the government on environmental policy. It works to create sustainable communities, and protect and conserve wildlife and natural resources. EAD also works to ensure integrated and sustainable water resources management, and to ensure clean air and minimize climate change and its impacts. Saudi Wildlife Commission (SWC) The SWC in accordance with its mandate, the Commission strives to protect, conserve, and develop the wildlife resources of Saudi Arabia, and the welfare of its people. SWC’s main achievements include: development and implementation of protected area system plan, establishment of 15 protected areas, development of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, establishment of two research centers specialized in captive breeding and re-introduction programs and the re-introduction of Arabian oryx, Reem and Idmi gazelles as well as Houbara bustard. Denver Zoological Foundation (DZF) The DZF is a non-profit organization whose mission is to “secure a better world for animals through human understanding.” DZF oversees Denver Zoo and conducts conservation education and biological conservation programs at the zoo, in the greater Denver area, and worldwide. Over 3,800 animals representing more than 650 species call Denver Zoo home. A member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), Denver Zoo’s accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) assures the highest standards of animal care. A leader in environmental action, Denver Zoo was the first U.S. zoo to receive ISO 14001 sustainability certification for its entire facility and operations. This international certification ensures the zoo attains the highest environmental standards. Since 1994, Denver Zoo has participated in well over 500 conservation projects in 55 countries. In 2009 alone, Denver Zoo participated in 80 projects in 22 countries and spent more than $1 million to support of wildlife conservation in the field. Re-introduction Specialist Group (RSG) The RSG is a network of specialists whose aim is to combat the ongoing and massive loss of biodiversity by using re-introductions as a responsible tool for the management and restoration of biodiversity. It does this by actively developing and promoting sound inter- disciplinary scientific information, policy, and practice to establish viable wild populations in their natural habitats. i ii The designation of geographical entities in this book, and the presentation of the material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IUCN or any of the funding organizations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of IUCN. Published by: IUCN/SSC Re-introduction Specialist Group & Environment Agency-ABU DHABI Copyright: 2010 International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Citation: Soorae, P. S. (ed.) (2010) GLOBAL RE-INTRODUCTION PERSPECTIVES: Additional case-studies from around the globe. IUCN/ SSC Re-introduction Specialist Group, Abu Dhabi, UAE, xii + 352 pp. ISBN: 978-2-8317-1320-5 Cover photo: Clockwise starting from top-left: i. Damselfly, UK © PC Watts ii. Corn crake, UK © Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) iii. Western prairie fringed orchid, USA © Margaret From iv. Arabian oryx, Saudi Arabia © M. Z. Islam v. Corroboree frog, Australia © D. Hunter Cover design & layout by: Pritpal S. Soorae, IUCN/SSC Re-introduction Specialist Group Produced by: IUCN/SSC Re-introduction Specialist Group & Environment Agency-ABU DHABI Download document at: www.iucnsscrsg.org iii iv Global Re-introduction Perspectives Additional case-studies from around the globe Edited by Pritpal S. Soorae IUCN/SSC Re-introduction Specialist Group (RSG) v CONTENTS Letter from H. E. Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, EAD ...................................... viii Letter from Bandar bin Saud bin Mohammad Al-Saud, SWC ..................... ix Letter from Richard Reading, DZF .............................................................. x Overview and analysis of re-introduction case-studies ............................... xi Invertebrates .............................................................................................. 1 Giant Gippsland earthworm in Australia ...................................................... 1 Leaf-vein slug in New Zealand .................................................................... 6 Tree weta in New Zealand ........................................................................... 9 Flax snail in New Zealand ........................................................................... 12 Lord Howe Island Phasmid in Australia ....................................................... 17 Endangered pine hoverfly in the UK ............................................................ 21 Miami blue butterfly in Florida, U.S.A. ......................................................... 25 Southern Damselfly in the UK ..................................................................... 29 San Francisco forktail damselfly in California, USA .................................... 33 Fish ............................................................................................................. 37 Bullheads in Flanders, Belgium ................................................................... 37 Tokyo bitterling in Japan .............................................................................. 41 Yarqon bleak, Israel ..................................................................................... 45 Colorado pikeminnow in rivers of the Western USA .................................... 49 Atlantic salmon in the River Sieg, Germany ................................................ 53 Adriatic sturgeon in the Ticino River, Italy ................................................... 58 Amphibians ................................................................................................ 62 Natterjack toad in the UK ............................................................................. 62 Kihansi spray toad in Tanzania ................................................................... 66 Southern Corroboree frog in Australia ......................................................... 72 Booroolong Frog in Australia ....................................................................... 77 Hamilton’s and Maud Island frog in central New Zealand ........................... 81 Reptiles ....................................................................................................... 88 Shore skinks to offshore islands in New Zealand ........................................ 88 Brothers Island tuatara in Cook Strait, New Zealand .................................. 93 Antiguan racer to offshore islands of Antigua, West Indies ......................... 98 Woma python in northern South Australia ................................................... 104 Babcock’s leopard tortoise, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa ........................... 108 Duvaucel’s geckos to Tiritiri Matangi and Motuora Islands, Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand ......................................................................... 113 Siamese crocodiles in Cambodia ................................................................ 118 Birds ............................................................................................................ 124 Corncrakes in the UK .................................................................................... 124 Grey partridge in the UK .............................................................................. 128 Asian houbara bustard in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia .............................. 132 Black storks in Ticino Regional Park, Italy ................................................... 139 Saker falcon to Bulgaria, South-East Europe .............................................. 143 vi Griffon vultures and Egyptian vultures in Bulgaria ....................................... 147 Malherbe’s parakeet to Maud Island, New Zealand .................................... 151 Red-fronted parakeet in New Zealand ......................................................... 155 Yellow-crowned kakariki in New Zealand .................................................... 160 Helmeted honeyeaters in Victoria, Australia ................................................ 165 Western bristlebird in Australia .................................................................... 171 Mount Lofty Ranges emu wren in Australia ................................................. 176 Socorro dove, in the Revillagigedo Archipelago, Mexico ............................ 182 Noisy scrub-bird in Western Australia ......................................................... 187 Mammals .................................................................................................... 193 Lesser short-tailed bats to Kapiti Island, New Zealand ............................... 193 Rock hyraxes in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa ............................................. 198 Woylie at the Scotia Sanctuary, New South Wales, Australia ..................... 202 Tammar wallaby on Yorke Peninsula, Australia .......................................... 208 Yellow-footed rock-wallaby in South Australia ............................................. 215 African wild dogs in South Africa ................................................................. 220 Golden lion tamarins, Atlantic Coastal Forest, Brazil .................................. 225 Chimpanzees to the Conkouati-Douli NP, Congo ....................................... 231 Sumatran orangutan in Sumatra, Indonesia ................................................ 238 Bornean orangutans in East Kalimantan, Indonesia ................................... 243 Black rhinoceros in North Luangwa National Park, Zambia ........................ 249 Asiatic black bear in Jirisan National Park, South Korea ............................. 254 Hirola antelope in Tsavo East National Park, Kenya ................................... 259 Roe deer in Ajloun Nature Reserve, Jordan ................................................ 265 Arabian oryx in Saudi Arabia ....................................................................... 269 Feasibility of translocating eastern bongo in Kenya .................................... 274 Amur Goral in Wolaksan National Park, South Korea ................................. 278 Apennine chamois in Gran Sasso-Laga National Park, Italy ....................... 281 African elephant in Kwazulu/Natal, South Africa ......................................... 285 Pygmy hog in N.W. Assam, India ................................................................ 290 Plants .......................................................................................................... 297 Whibley Wattle augmentation in South Australia ......................................... 297 Four rare ironstone endemic species in Beenup, SW Australia .................. 301 Monarto mintbush in South Australia ........................................................... 306 Resinous eremophilia in Western Australia ................................................. 311 Bermuda’s Governor Laffan fern in Bermuda .............................................. 316 The fern Diellia pallida in Kaua’i, Hawaiian Islands, U.S.A. ........................ 319 The parasitic plant dactylanthus in Waipapa, New Zealand ........................ 324 Augmenting orchid populations in Madagascar ........................................... 328 Heath spotted and early marsh orchids in Switzerland ............................... 332 Western prairie fringed orchid in Nebraska, USA ........................................ 336 Critically endangered spiny daisy in South Australia ................................... 340 Conservation introduction of a locally extinct fern species in Estonia ......... 345 Juniper scrub at Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, Scotland .......................... 349 vii H. E. Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Assistant Secretary General, Environment Agency - ABU DHABI The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) is a governmental agency that was established in 1996. We are committed to protecting and managing biodiversity, providing a clean environment and promoting Sustainable Development in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The EAD has hosted the activities of the IUCN/SSC Re-introduction Specialist Group over many years and Is pleased to see the publication of this book titled Global Re- introduction Perspectives: 2010 which features case studies from all over the globe and covering major animal and plant taxa. This book highlights the conservation efforts being made worldwide to restore animal and plant populations facing extinction due to various challenges. The effects of climate change and unsustainable use of resources Is altering the natural biodiversity of our planet. It is interesting to see the various efforts being made globally against all these odds to re-introduce species. The EAD is committed to giving environmental protection, regulation and natural resources conservation a high priority on the national agenda. We provide direction for Government, business and the community to build environmental considerations into the way they plan and live without compromising Abu Dhabi development. We hope the lessons provided in this publication provide re-introduction practitioners and conservationists alike useful lessons in the restoration of biodiversity in the face of so many challenges and you find this book informative and interesting as I have. viii Bandar bin Saud bin Mohammad Al-Saud, Secretary General, Saudi Wildlife Commission - Saudi Arabia Wildlife conservation has a long history in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. However it was through the establishment of the Saudi Wildlife Commission (SWC) in 1986 (formerly known as the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development) that efforts in this direction were concerted and formalized. The SWC’s main objective is to conserve wildlife, including all native plant and animal species and their habitats both terrestrial and marine. One of the first major projects of the SWC focused on the protection and revival of high profile animal species such as the Houbara bustard and the Arabian oryx. Our achievements in the captive breeding and re-introduction of endangered wildlife span a period of more than 20 years. Since 1991, over 1,000 Houbara bustard have been successfully released and regularly monitored in two protected areas. We are also proud that the legendary Arabian oryx, once extinct in the wild, has been rescued through captive breeding and re- introduction and now roams again in the Uruq Bani Maarid on the edge of the Al-Rub” Al-Khali - the largest sand desert in the world, and in other arid habitats in the Kingdom. For a complex process such as captive breeding and re -introduction of endangered wildlife, one can only learn through the sharing of knowledge and experience. Therefore, this publication will prove to be an indispensible source for re-introduction programs world-wide. Our learning from the captive breeding and re-introduction of Houbara bustard and the Arabian oryx has further helped in initiating similar programs for other endangered wildlife such as the Reem & Idmi gazelles and the red-necked ostrich (of which case studies can be referred to in the first edition of this book). I congratulate my colleagues at the Saudi Wildlife Commission, the National Wildlife Research Center and the King Khalid Wildlife Research Center for contributing to this volume and for sharing their experiences from this part of the world. The diverse articles published here provide an invaluable insight into the subject and I am certain that this publication will not only enhance the scientific knowhow on re-introduction but also further our cause in conserving wildlife across the globe. ix