Role of social structure in establishment of an invasive large mammal after translocation
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- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources University of Georgia Aiken South Carolina USA
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services National Wildlife Research Center Fort Collins Colorado USA, Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado USA, Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability University of Oklahoma Norman Oklahoma USA
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services National Wildlife Research Center Fort Collins Colorado USA
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado USA
Abstract Background Data on the movement behavior of translocated wild pigs is needed to develop appropriate response strategies for containing and eliminating new source populations following translocation events. We conducted experimental trials to compare the home range establishment and space‐use metrics, including the number of days and distance traveled before becoming range residents, for wild pigs translocated with their social group and individually. Results We found wild pigs translocated with their social group made less extensive movements away from the release location and established a stable home range ~5 days faster than those translocated individually. We also examined how habitat quality impacted the home range sizes of translocated wild pigs and found wild pigs maintained larger ranges in areas with higher proportion of low‐quality habitat. Conclusion Collectively, our findings suggest translocations of invasive wild pigs have a greater probability of establishing a viable population near the release site when habitat quality is high and when released with members of their social unit compared to individuals moved independent of their social group or to low‐quality habitat. However, all wild pigs translocated in our study made extensive movements from their release location, highlighting the potential for single translocation events of either individuals or groups to have far‐reaching consequences within a much broader landscape beyond the location where they are released. These results highlight the challenges associated with containing populations in areas where illegal introduction of wild pigs occurs, and the need for rapid response once releases are identified. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- Grant/Contract Number:
- EM0005228
- OSTI ID:
- 1984564
- Journal Information:
- Pest Management Science, Journal Name: Pest Management Science Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 79; ISSN 1526-498X
- Publisher:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)Copyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United Kingdom
- Language:
- English
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