Postrelease movement and habitat selection of translocated pine martens Martes martes.

摘要: Monitoring postrelease establishment and movement of animals is important in evaluating conservation translocations. We translocated 39 wild pine martens Martes martes (19 females, 20 males) from Scotland to Wales. released them into forested areas with no conspecifics 2015, followed by a second release 2016, alongside the previously animals. used radio-tracking describe habitat selection. Six (15%) were not re-encountered during tracking period, which four undertook long-distance dispersal. For remaining individuals, we characterized two phases movement, "exploration" "settlement," that differed between releases. In first release, remained exploration phase for mean 14.5 days (SE = 3.9 days) settled at distance 8.7 km (SE = 1.8 km) sites, whereas year two, resident conspecifics, traveled away sites faster rate, settling sooner, 6.6 days (SE = 1.8 days), but further, 14.0 km (SE = 1.7 km) sites. Animals one did exhibit preferences overall within forests they favored recently felled areas, showed strong selection discriminate forest types. The presence appeared influential settlement site fidelity was associated more rapid distant dispersal later cohort. Releases close proximity promote ranges recipient environment.