Re-introductions are generally long-term projects that require the commitment of long-term financial and political support.
Socio-economic studies should be made to assess impacts, costs and benefits of the re-introduction programme to local human populations.
A thorough assessment of attitudes of local people to the proposed project is necessary to ensure long term protection of the re-introduced population, especially if the cause of species' decline was due to human factors (e.g. over-hunting, over-collection, loss or alteration of habitat). The programme should be fully understood, accepted and supported by local communities.
Where the security of the re-introduced population is at risk from human activities, measures should be taken to minimise these in the re-introduction area. If these measures are inadequate, the re-introduction should be abandoned or alternative release areas sought.
The policy of the country to re-introductions and to the species concerned should be assessed. This might include checking existing provincial, national and international legislation and regulations, and provision of new measures and required permits as necessary.
Re-introduction must take place with the full permission and involvement of all relevant government agencies of the recipient or host country. This is particularly important in re-introductions in border areas, or involving more than one state or when a re-introduced population can expand into other states, provinces or territories.
If the species poses potential risk to life or property, these risks should be minimised and adequate provision made for compensation where necessary; where all other solutions fail, removal or destruction of the released individual should be considered. In the case of migratory/mobile species, provisions should be made for crossing of international/state boundaries.
(i) Planning, preparation and release stages
Approval of relevant government agencies and land owners, and coordination with national and international conservation organizations.
Construction of a multidisciplinary team with access to expert technical advice for all phases of the programme.
Identification of short- and long-term success indicators and prediction of programme duration, in context of agreed aims and objectives.
Securing adequate funding for all programme phases.
Design of pre- and post- release monitoring programme so that each re-introduction is a carefully designed experiment, with the capability to test methodology with scientifically collected data. Monitoring the health of individuals, as well as the survival, is important; intervention may be necessary if the situation proves unforseeably favourable.
Appropriate health and genetic screening of release stock, including stock that is a gift between governments. Health screening of closely related species in the re-introduction area.
If release stock is wild-caught, care must be taken to ensure that: a) the stock is free from infectious or contagious pathogens and parasites before shipment and b) the stock will not be exposed to vectors of disease agents which may be present at the release site (and absent at the source site) and to which it may have no acquired immunity.
If vaccination prior to release, against local endemic or epidemic diseases of wild stock or domestic livestock at the release site, is deemed appropriate, this must be carried out during the "Preparation Stage" so as to allow sufficient time for the development of the required immunity.
Appropriate veterinary or horticultural measures as required to ensure health of released stock throughout the programme. This is to include adequate quarantine arrangements, especially where founder stock travels far or crosses international boundaries to the release site.
Development of transport plans for delivery of stock to the country and site of re-introduction, with special emphasis on ways to minimize stress on the individuals during transport.
Determination of release strategy (acclimatization of release stock to release area; behavioural training - including hunting and feeding; group composition, number, release patterns and techniques; timing).
Establishment of policies on interventions (see below).
Development of conservation education for long-term support; professional training of individuals involved in the long-term programme; public relations through the mass media and in local community; involvement where possible of local people in the programme.
The welfare of animals for release is of paramount concern through all these stages.
(ii) Post-release activities
Post release monitoring is required of all (or sample of) individuals. This most vital aspect may be by direct (e.g. tagging, telemetry) or indirect (e.g. spoor, informants) methods as suitable.
Demographic, ecological and behavioural studies of released stock must be undertaken.
Study of processes of long-term adaptation by individuals and the population.
Collection and investigation of mortalities.
Interventions (e.g. supplemental feeding; veterinary aid; horticultural aid) when necessary.
Decisions for revision, rescheduling, or discontinuation of programme where necessary.
Habitat protection or restoration to continue where necessary.
Continuing public relations activities, including education and mass media coverage.
Evaluation of cost-effectiveness and success of re- introduction techniques.
Regular publications in scientific and popular literature.
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