Testing reintroduction as a conservation strategy for the critically endangered Chinese alligator: Movements and home range of released captive individuals

摘要: The Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis) is considered the most critically endangered crocodilian as a result of near total loss its habitat and extremely small fragmented wild populations. Plans for population recovery lie mostly with wetland restoration reintroduction captive-reared animals. We carried out first-trial release 3 adult alligators (1♂, 2♀) into pond at Hongxing conservation site, Xuancheng, southern Anhui Province; animals were radio-tracked from May to October in 2003. hypothesized that after period adaptation, would establish definable home ranges. Two 1♀) monitored whole tracking period. male had an annual home-range size 7.61 hm2, female 4.00 hm2. Water temperature water level two important factors influencing alligators’ distributions, daily movements. overlapping ranges, which notably included one substantial island pond; only known nesting site local native alligators. Aggressive interactions between released observed during breeding season around this island. All three reintroduced survived winter 2003 alive same 2008. concluded provided suitable However, low resulting farmland irrigation August September can be threat survival. Therefore, regulations on summer autumn are needed balance needs agriculture.