Research Article Summary

Title

Outcomes of orangutan wild-to-wild translocations reveal conservation and welfare risks

Authors

Julie Sherman, Maria Voigt, Marc Ancrenaz, Erik Meijaard, Felicity Oram, Elizabeth A. Williamson, Anne E. Russon, David J. I. Seaman, Christine Caurant, Dirck Byler, Serge A. Wich

Affiliations

Various institutions across the US, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, the UK, Canada, and France

Abstract

• Objective: Investigate orangutan wild-to-wild translocations from 2005 to 2022 in Indonesia.
• Findings: At least 988 orangutans translocated, many reproductively valuable, primarily due to crop foraging and fragmented habitats.
• Concerns: Translocation might affect species conservation and individual welfare negatively.
• Conclusion: Wild-to-wild translocations should only be used in exceptional circumstances. Orangutans should be monitored and protected in situ.

Introduction

• Context: Conservation translocations aim to address human-wildlife conflicts or remove wildlife from preferred human areas.
• Method: Data from 2005-2022 translocations examined using public sources and consultations.

Key Findings

1. Age, Sex, and Health:

   • Adults, especially males, were translocated frequently.
   • Majority were reported healthy at capture.

2. Translocation Patterns:

   • Only 23% translocated immediately; many require care first.
   • High variance in translocation distances, often exceeding 10 km.

3. Drivers for Translocation:

   • Most captures due to proximity to crops and plantations (69%).
   • Forest fires accounted for only 2.3% of captures.
   • Forest cover loss does not significantly correlate with translocations.

4. Impact on Populations:

   • Translocation, combined with killings, threatens population viability.
   • Kalimantan and Sumatra have offtake rates potentially driving extinction.

5. Welfare Concerns:

   • Stress documented during capture.
   • Post-release survival monitoring lacking; recapture occurrences noted.

Recommendations

• Identify, Monitor, and Protect Strategy:

  • Identify risk levels: Mapping and legal enforcement.
  • Monitor: Close observation for injuries and malnutrition.
  • Protect: Engagement with community and habitat preservation.

• Suitable Translocation Circumstances:

  • Only for injured orangutans after treatment or immediate life risks like fires.
  • Avoid translocation for non-immediate threats like crop foraging or human presence near cropland.

Conclusion

• Need for Caution: Approach should emphasize preserving habitat and coexistence strategies.
• Broader Application: Recommendations applicable to other species facing human-wildlife conflicts.

Supplementary Data

• Detailed methodological appendix, data tables, and visual maps of capture sites, aiding spatial analysis and conservation planning.

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This summary captures core findings, methodological approaches, and recommendations for future conservation strategies regarding orangutan translocations.