Fate of wild-caught Antechinus flavipes released after physiological experiments
C. E. Cooper A C , K. Vernes B and T. Cooper BA Centre of Ecosystem Diversity and Dynamics, Department of Environmental and Aquatic Sciences, Curtin University of Technology, PO Box U1987, Bentley, WA 6845, Australia.
B Ecosystem Management, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: C.Cooper@curtin.edu.au
Australian Mammalogy 31(2) 143-145 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM09013
Submitted: 24 April 2009 Accepted: 8 August 2009 Published: 12 November 2009
Abstract
Animals may be released into the wild for introduction, translocation or rehabilitation programs. Often, released animals do not survive or reproduce as well as wild conspecifics. Another circumstance whereby animals may be released is the return to the wild of research subjects, and although these animals may be expected to fare better than those from introduction, translocation or rehabilitation programs, there is little information regarding their subsequent survival and reproduction. We examine here the survivorship and reproductive success of five (one male, four female) yellow-footed antechinus (Antechinus flavipes) released back into the wild after being held in captivity for approximately one week for physiological experiments. Three of the four female Antechinus were recaptured after release and, on inspection, all three had 10 pouch young. Survivorship after release of antechinus held in captivity (0.75) was not different from the population as a whole, which ranged between 0.5 and 1.0. We therefore present unequivocal evidence that Antechinus released into the wild after physiological experiments can successfully survive and reproduce. This information is important for wildlife managers and animal ethics committees when considering the fate of ex-research animals.
Acknowledgements
Physiological studies were carried out in collaboration with Professor Philip Withers and Professor Fritz Geiser, and we thank them for their ideas and comments on the manuscript. The trapping study of Antechinus at Newholme was funded by an ARC Discovery Grant (DP0557022) to KV, and the physiological experiments by an ARC Discovery Grant (DP0665044) to CEC. This manuscript is contribution CEDD56-2009 of the Centre for Ecosystem Diversity and Dynamics, Curtin University.
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