Ecological Considerations When Designing Mitigation Translocations: An Australian Reptile Case Study

SIMPLE SUMMARY: A common method of alleviating impending threats to wildlife populations is to relocate them from danger, which is known as mitigation translocation. However, these translocations have high failure rates because they lack appropriate funding, resources, and a knowledge of species requirements. Here, we use the endangered western spiny-tailed skink (Egernia stokesii badia) as a case study to exemplify how targeted ecological research can be used to help inform translocation planning. We found that the skinks have specific requirements for predator management, foraging and prey availability, and log pile structures, which can all help improve the targeted selection of translocation sites in the future. Application of a similar scientific framework to planning is likely to improve mitigation translocation success for a range of threatened species. ABSTRACT: Translocation science has made considerable progress over the last two decades; however, reptile translocations still frequently fail around the world. Major knowledge gaps surround the basic ecology of reptile species, including basic factors such as habitat preference, which have a critical influence on translocation success. The western spiny-tailed skink (Egernia stokesii badia) is used here as a case study to exemplify how empirical research can directly inform on-ground management and future translocation planning. A combination of studies, including LiDAR scanning of microhabitat structures, camera trapping, plasticine replica model experiments and unbounded point count surveys to assess predation risk, and visual and DNA analysis of dietary requirements, were all used to better understand the ecological requirements of E. s. badia. We found that the skinks have specific log pile requirements, both native and non-native predator management requirements, and a largely herbivorous, broad diet, which all influence translocation site selection and management planning. The use of E. s. badia as an Australian case study provides a clear strategic framework for the targeted research of meaningful ecological factors that influence translocation decision-making. Similar approaches applied to other reptile species are likely to fundamentally increase the capacity for effective management, and the likelihood of future successful translocations.