Captive-raised western ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis) with a bold personality have higher survival rates when released into the wild.
Animal personality
Fox control
Radiotelemetry
Reintroduction
Western ringtail possum
Wildlife
Journal
Scientific reports
ISSN: 2045-2322
Titre abrégé: Sci Rep
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101563288
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
29 Aug 2024
29 Aug 2024
Historique:
received:
15
02
2024
accepted:
15
07
2024
medline:
31
8
2024
pubmed:
31
8
2024
entrez:
29
8
2024
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
We tested if the personality of captive-raised western ringtail possums (Pseudocheirus occidentalis), and the impact of other variables would influence their survival after release using radiotelemetry. We hypothesised a greater survival for individuals: (i) bold; (ii) habituated in advance to food collected from the release area; (iii) juveniles instead of adults, because more easily tolerated by wild individuals, and (iv) released in new dreys (nests) as they would not have the strong odour of old dreys and would be less attractive to foxes. After 3 months of radio tracking, out of 143 possums released, 79 died: 51 (64.6%) were preyed upon by European red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Bold or female individuals had higher survival rates than shy or male individuals (survival rate bold: 53%, shy: 41%, p = 0.046, hazard ratio = 0.352, 95% CI HR [0.126, 0.979]; survival rate females: 44%, males: 35%, p = 0.007, hazard ratio = 2.811, 95% CI HR [1.322, 5.976]). Shooting was a more effective fox control strategy to improve survival compared to baiting (p = 0.019, hazard ratio = 0.167, 95% CI HR [0.038, 0.742]). Our results demonstrate that the control of introduced predators is critical for the success of reintroductions of this critically endangered species.
Identifiants
pubmed: 39209892
doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-67726-y
pii: 10.1038/s41598-024-67726-y
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
20110Informations de copyright
© 2024. The Author(s).
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