Field methods for translocating female greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) with their broods

Wildlife Society Bulletin
By: , and 

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Abstract

Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) have experienced considerable range contraction and reduced abundance in response to habitat loss and degradation. Translocation is a conservation action that is often used to reintroduce extirpated populations or augment existing small populations. Translocations have had limited success in restoring viable populations of sage-grouse; a lack of success is attributed to long-distance post-release movements away from release sites, reduced survival, and lack of reproductive success of translocated individuals. Translocating female sage-grouse with their chicks (brood translocation) is a technique aimed at promoting breeding area fidelity and reproduction and may be beneficial to population restoration efforts. Furthermore, the ability to capture, relocate, and release individuals while minimizing translocation-induced loss increases the overall probability of restoration success. Accordingly, we developed a protocol to translocate female sage-grouse and their broods simultaneously, using a delayed-release system that included a custom release box and acclimation pen. We tested our protocol across 2 separate restoration projects in North Dakota and California during 2017–2019 with a total of 38 translocated females and 196 chicks. We successfully released 174/196 chicks (88.8%) from 32/38 (84.2%) broods. Our protocol builds on existing translocation methods used to translocate sage-grouse and will likely prove to be a critical technique in restoring sage-grouse populations.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Field methods for translocating female greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) with their broods
Series title Wildlife Society Bulletin
DOI 10.1002/wsb.1199
Volume 45
Issue 3
Year Published 2021
Language English
Publisher The Wildlife Society
Contributing office(s) Western Ecological Research Center
Description 9 p.
First page 529
Last page 537
Country United States
State California, North Dakota, Wyoming
County Bowman County, Carbon County, Mono County, Slope County, Sweetwater County
Other Geospatial Parker Meadows
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