Headstarting
Headstarting is a conservation technique for endangered species, in which young animals are raised artificially and subsequently released into the wild.[1][2][3][4] The technique allows a greater proportion of the hatchlings to reach independence, without predation or loss to other natural causes.[1][2]
For endangered birds and reptiles, eggs are collected from the wild are hatched using an incubator.[1][2] For mammals such as Hawaiian monk seals, the young are removed from their mothers after weaning.[5]
References
- ^ a b c Alberts, Allison; Lemm, Jeffrey; Grant, Tandora; Jackintell, Lori (2004). "Testing the Utility of Headstarting as a Conservation Strategy for West Indian Iguanas". Iguanas: Biology and Conservation. University of California Press. p. 210. ISBN 978-0-520-23854-1.
- ^ a b c "Blanding's Turtle Headstart Reintroduction".
- ^ Perez-Buitrago, Nestor (2005), "Successful Release of Head Start Mona Island Iguanas" (PDF), Iguana Specialist Group Newsletter, 8 (1): 6, archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-08-12
- ^ Pitches, Adrian (March 2018). "Headstarted Godwits relocate to Portugal". British Birds. 111 (3): 128–129.
- ^ Gerrodette, Tim; Gilmartin William G (1980). "Demographic consequences of changed pupping and hauling sites of the Hawaiian monk seal" (PDF). Conservation Biology. 4 (4): 423–430. doi:10.1111/j.1523-1739.1990.tb00317.x. JSTOR 2385936.
External links
- Toronto Zoo Blanding's Turtle Headstarting Project on YouTube
- Video of Spoon-billed sandpiper chicks at WWT Slimbridge. The Guardian, July 2012.