Demographic Approach to Releasing Adults versus Young in Reintroductions

Abstract

Abstract: Reintroductions are often used for reestablishment of animal populations. The choice of age‐class of released individuals, however, is often arbitrary or based on expediency. We developed a demographic model that predicts the relative efficiency of releasing juveniles or adults for a given life cycle. The model accounts for possible reduction of survival and fertility of released adults. It also incorporates demographic and environmental stochasticity to compare release strategies of varying duration and number of releases. We applied the model to the case of reintroduction of Griffon Vultures ( Gyps fulvus ) in southern France, for which accurate monitoring allowed us to estimate demographic rates and consequences of releases. Overall, for Griffon Vultures, it is more efficient to release adults than juveniles, despite the observed reduction of demographic parameters following release. This approach could be used for the reintroduction of other species.