A note on the potential role of philopatry and conspecific attraction as conservation tools in Audouin's Gull <i>Larus audouinii</i>

Abstract

This short communication reports on the first record of Audouin's Gulls Larus audouinii breeding in captivity and on the behaviour of some individuals released as fledglings. During the period 1995–2000 a hand-reared male returned to its natal site and responded, year after year, to the translocation of a captive group of Audouin's Gulls for nesting site selection. The potential role of philopatry and conspecific attraction as conservation tools for this vulnerable seabird after an eight year experiment are discussed.