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Songbirds are currently the most prevalent animals in illegal trafficking in Brazil and other countries, so they are often confiscated, and this poses legal, ethical, and conservation challenges. Returning them to nature requires complex and expensive management, a topic that is sparingly addressed in the literature. Here, we described the processes and costs associated with an attempt to rehabilitate and release confiscated songbirds into the wild. A total of 1,721 songbirds of several species were quarantined, rehabilitated, and released, primarily on two farms located within their typical geographical distribution. Health assessments were performed on samples from 370 birds. Serology revealed no antibodies against Newcastle disease, and Salmonella spp. cultures were negative. Real-time polymerase chain reactions detected M. gallisepticum in samples from seven birds. Atoxoplasma spp. and Acuaria spp. infections, sepsis, and trauma were the top causes of bird death. About 6% of the released birds were recaptured, within an average period of 249 days after release, and at a mean distance of 2,397 meters from the release sites. The majority of these birds were found with free-living mates within or close to fragments of transitional ecoregions with native or cultivated grasslands, and native groves/forests, and shrublands. However, eucalyptus plantations with rich understory regeneration provided a suitable environment for the released forest species to settle, since they were recaptured during the defense of these sites. Over half of the recaptured birds presented behavioral profiles with both dominant and tame traits. Birds with dominant traits are more likely to settle in habitats and face the live decoys during fieldwork, whereas birds with tame characteristics tend to accept close contact with humans. Ultramarine grosbeak (Cyanoloxia brissonii), the least common species among those released, at the release sites showed an almost 2-fold recapture rate in the shortest mean distances from the release sites. This suggests less territory competition, perhaps a major factor of bird re-establishment here. The total per-bird cost was USD 57. Our findings suggested suitable survival and re-establishment of confiscated songbirds in the wild, when managed as we describe.

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A 3- to 4-mo-old male ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) and a 6- to 8-mo-old female margay (Leopardus weidii) were brought in from the wild, held in captivity, and rehabilitated for 906 and 709 days, respectively, at the Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center in Costa Rica. During captivity, both cats were kept as isolated as possible from humans and fed appropriate live wild prey. After maturing and demonstrating the ability to capture and feed on live prey, the cats were radio-collared, released at a national wildlife refuge previously assessed for predator and prey occurrence, and monitored. After 54 days, the ocelot was trapped while preying on chickens in a nearby community, and after 20 days, the margay was found dead, likely due to ocelot predation. Avoiding habituation to humans, assuring hunting abilities, and assessing release sites likely is not sufficient to assure successful release of these species, and more experimental releases with innovative and detailed protocols and monitoring are needed.

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Establishing reintroduced primates in a suitable predetermined area has proven to be a challenge. Establishment is the first major step that has to be taken in the long process of reintroduction. When this first goal is not achieved, the chances of success decline drastically. Understanding the main determinants of establishment is therefore crucial for reintroduction success. This study examined the influence of three independent factors on the establishment success of reintroduced spider monkeys. We analysed data from the releases of eight groups of black-faced spider monkeys (Ateles chamek), which are part of the official reintroduction program of spider monkeys in the South Eastern Peruvian Amazon. Establishment success was measured by the proportion of individuals within groups that were found in the target area 6 months after release. The hours research assistants and volunteers spent with the group within the first 3 months after release-in the context of post-release monitoring-was shown to have a positive effect on the establishment success of the released group in the target area. The presence of an already established group in the area was also found to have a significant positive effect on establishment success. The influence of the days of post-release food provisioning had no effect. Our findings emphasize the importance of long-term monitoring programs to help increase the efficiency of primate reintroductions.

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BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Syringe-sharing among people who inject drugs, which can occur during incarceration and post-release, has been linked with increased risk of blood-borne infections. We aimed to investigate the cumulative effect of repeated incarceration and the post-release period on receptive syringe-sharing. DESIGN: Ongoing community-based cohort, recruited through targeted sampling between 2011 and 2012 with 6-month follow-ups. SETTING: Tijuana, Mexico. PARTICIPANTS: Sample of 185 participants (median age 35 years; 67% female) with no history of incarceration at study entry, followed to 2017. MEASUREMENTS: Cumulative incarceration and post-release period were constructed from incarceration events reported in the past 6 months for each study visit. Receptive syringe-sharing in the past 6 months was assessed as a binary variable. We used logistic regression with generalized estimating equations to examine the association between cumulative incarceration events and the post-release period with receptive syringe-sharing over time. Missing data were handled through multiple imputation. FINDINGS: At baseline, 65% of participants engaged in receptive syringe-sharing in the prior 6 months. At follow-up, 150 (81%) participants experienced a total of 358 incarceration events [median = 2, interquartile range (IQR) = 1-3]. The risk of receptive syringe-sharing increased with the number of repeated incarcerations. Compared with never incarcerated, those with one incarceration had 1.28 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.97-1.68] higher adjusted odds of syringe-sharing; two to three incarcerations, 1.42 (95% CI = 1.02-1.99) and more than three incarcerations, 2.10 (95% CI = 1.15-3.85). Participants released within the past 6 months had 1.53 (95% CI = 1.14-2.05) higher odds of sharing syringes compared with those never incarcerated. This post-release risk continued up to 1.5 years post-incarceration (adjusted odds ratio = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.04-1.91), but then waned. CONCLUSIONS: A longitudinal community cohort study among people who inject drugs suggested that the effects of incarceration on increased injecting risk, measured through syringe-sharing, are cumulative and persist during the post-release period.

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Sharks are very sensitive to stress and prone to a high mortality rate after capture. Since approximately 50 million of sharks are caught as bycatch every year, and current recommendations to reduce the impact of commercial fishing strongly support immediate release, it is imperative to better understand post-release mortality caused by the stress of capture and handling. Blood samples allow the assessment of stress levels which are valuable tools to reduce mortality in commercial, recreational and scientific fishing, being essential for the improvement in those conservation measures. Biochemical analyses are widely used for sharks as stress indicators, with secondary plasma parameters (lactate, glucose and ions) being the most often employed assays. However, it is virtually impossible to determine baseline plasma parameters in free-ranging sharks, since blood withdrawal involves animal capture and restrain, which are stressful procedures. This study aims at analyzing secondary parameters of five healthy tiger sharks captured with circular hooks and handlines in Fernando de Noronha (Northeastern Brazil) and comparing them with secondary parameters of three dead tiger sharks caught off Recife (also Northeastern Brazil). The results showed that the analysis of some plasma constituents in dead animals may be an efficient tool to assess stress and lethality. However, traditional parameters such as glucose and calcium, need to be used with caution. The results also demonstrated the extreme importance of urea and phosphorus for assessing stress response and mortality in tiger sharks, both parameters frequently neglected and of utmost importance for shark's homeostasis.

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Behavioural responses of lemon sharks Negaprion brevirostris to a fin-mounted tag package (CEFAS G6A tri-axial accelerometer with epoxied Sonotronics PT4 acoustic transmitter) were measured in a controlled captive environment (n = 10, total length, LT range 80-140 cm) and in free-ranging sharks upon release (n = 7, LT range 100-160 cm). No changes were detected in behaviour (i.e. swimming speed, tailbeat frequency, time spent resting and frequency of chafing) between control and tagged captive shark trials, suggesting that the tag package itself does not alter behaviour. In the free-ranging trials, an initial period of elevated swimming activity was found in all individuals (represented by overall dynamic body acceleration). Negaprion brevirostris, however, appeared to recover quickly, returning to a steady swimming state between 2 and 35 min after release. Post-release tracking found that all sharks swim immediately for the shoreline and remain within 100 m of shore for prolonged periods. Hence, although N. brevirostris are capable of quick adaptation to stressors and demonstrate rapid recovery in terms of activity, tracking data suggest that they may modify their spatial use patterns post release. This research is important in separating deviation in behaviour due to environmental stressors from artefacts caused by experimental techniques.

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Red-footed Tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonaria Spix, 1824) raised as pets and voluntarily handed over to environmental officers by their owners or apprehended by officers represent a large contingent of animals that overfill triage centres in Brazil. There is no consensus on the fate of these animals, and their numbers continue growing. In this study, we evaluated the movement patterns of C. carbonaria originating from triage centres in areas of cocoa plantations and forest remnants to define their home range and dispersion. After 120 days of quarantine and acclimatisation, eight C. carbonaria adults were released and monitored via radio telemetry for 10 months. The radio transmitters of two individuals presented problems, and consequently, it was not possible to track these individuals. Five individuals remained in an area of 7.75 ha 10 months after release, avoiding contact with humans after the first three months. The greatest problems were the proximity of individuals to inhabited areas in the first three months after release, the death of two individuals, and the escape of one individual. After the experiment, the animals were sent back to the triage centre. Our results suggest that a proportion of the animals in the triage centres are able to survive in natural conditions. Considering their survival and fidelity to the release site, the translocation of animals described herein should be considered partially successful. However, if this measure is adopted, it must be preceded by studies of the animals' origins and by a rigorous genetic, sanitary and behavioural analysis of each individual.

Jabutis criados como animais de estimação entregues voluntariamente por seus donos ou apreendidos pelos agentes ambientais formam um grande contingente de animais que lotam os centros de triagem nas diversas regiões do Brasil. Não existe um consenso sobre o destino destes animais e os seus números continuam a crescer. Neste estudo avaliamos os deslocamentos de Chelonoidis carbonaria oriundos de centros de triagem em áreas de plantio de cacau e de remanescentes florestais buscando levantar a área de vida e a dispersão dos indivíduos. Após um período de quarentena e aclimatação de 120 dias 10 indivíduos adultos de C. carbonaria foram soltos e monitorados por radiotelemetria durante 10 meses. Os radiotransmissores de dois indivíduos apresentaram problemas não sendo possível acompanha-los. Cinco indivíduos permaneceram na área após 10 meses de soltura evitando, após os três meses iniciais, o contato com os humanos e vivendo em uma área de até 7,75 ha. Os principais problemas verificados foram a aproximação dos indivíduos das áreas habitadas nos três primeiros meses após a soltura, a morte de dois indivíduos e a dispersão de outro. Ao final do experimento os animais foram devolvidos ao centro de triagem de origem. Nossos resultados sugerem que uma parcela dos animais dos centros de triagem apresenta condições sobreviver em condições naturais. Considerando a sobrevivência e a fidelidade à área de soltura uma possível translocação poderia apresentar um sucesso parcial. Esta medida, entretanto, caso seja adotada, deve ser precedida de estudos sobre a origem dos animais e de uma rigorosa análise genética, sanitária e comportamental de cada indivíduo.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Red-footed Tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonariaSpix, 1824) raised as pets and voluntarily handed over to environmental officers by their owners or apprehended by officers represent a large contingent of animals that overfill triage centres in Brazil. There is no consensus on the fate of these animals, and their numbers continue growing. In this study, we evaluated the movement patterns of C. carbonaria originating from triage centres in areas of cocoa plantations and forest remnants to define their home range and dispersion. After 120 days of quarantine and acclimatisation, eight C. carbonaria adults were released and monitored via radio telemetry for 10 months. The radio transmitters of two individuals presented problems, and consequently, it was not possible to track these individuals. Five individuals remained in an area of 7.75 ha 10 months after release, avoiding contact with humans after the first three months. The greatest problems were the proximity of individuals to inhabited areas in the first three months after release, the death of two individuals, and the escape of one individual. After the experiment, the animals were sent back to the triage centre. Our results suggest that a proportion of the animals in the triage centres are able to survive in natural conditions. Considering their survival and fidelity to the release site, the translocation of animals described herein should be considered partially successful. However, if this measure is adopted, it must be preceded by studies of the animals' origins and by a rigorous genetic, sanitary and behavioural analysis of each individual.

Jabutis criados como animais de estimação entregues voluntariamente por seus donos ou apreendidos pelos agentes ambientais formam um grande contingente de animais que lotam os centros de triagem nas diversas regiões do Brasil. Não existe um consenso sobre o destino destes animais e os seus números continuam a crescer. Neste estudo avaliamos os deslocamentos de Chelonoidis carbonaria oriundos de centros de triagem em áreas de plantio de cacau e de remanescentes florestais buscando levantar a área de vida e a dispersão dos indivíduos. Após um período de quarentena e aclimatação de 120 dias 10 indivíduos adultos de C. carbonaria foram soltos e monitorados por radiotelemetria durante 10 meses. Os radiotransmissores de dois indivíduos apresentaram problemas não sendo possível acompanha-los. Cinco indivíduos permaneceram na área após 10 meses de soltura evitando, após os três meses iniciais, o contato com os humanos e vivendo em uma área de até 7,75 ha. Os principais problemas verificados foram a aproximação dos indivíduos das áreas habitadas nos três primeiros meses após a soltura, a morte de dois indivíduos e a dispersão de outro. Ao final do experimento os animais foram devolvidos ao centro de triagem de origem. Nossos resultados sugerem que uma parcela dos animais dos centros de triagem apresenta condições sobreviver em condições naturais. Considerando a sobrevivência e a fidelidade à área de soltura uma possível translocação poderia apresentar um sucesso parcial. Esta medida, entretanto, caso seja adotada, deve ser precedida de estudos sobre a origem dos animais e de uma rigorosa análise genética, sanitária e comportamental de cada indivíduo.

RESUMO

Red-footed Tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonaria Spix, 1824) raised as pets and voluntarily handed over to environmental officers by their owners or apprehended by officers represent a large contingent of animals that overfill triage centres in Brazil. There is no consensus on the fate of these animals, and their numbers continue growing. In this study, we evaluated the movement patterns of C. carbonaria originating from triage centres in areas of cocoa plantations and forest remnants to define their home range and dispersion. After 120 days of quarantine and acclimatisation, eight C. carbonaria adults were released and monitored via radio telemetry for 10 months. The radio transmitters of two individuals presented problems, and consequently, it was not possible to track these individuals. Five individuals remained in an area of 7.75 ha 10 months after release, avoiding contact with humans after the first three months. The greatest problems were the proximity of individuals to inhabited areas in the first three months after release, the death of two individuals, and the escape of one individual. After the experiment, the animals were sent back to the triage centre. Our results suggest that a proportion of the animals in the triage centres are able to survive in natural conditions. Considering their survival and fidelity to the release site, the translocation of animals described herein should be considered partially successful. However, if this measure is adopted, it must be preceded by studies of the animals' origins and by a rigorous genetic, sanitary and behavioural analysis of each individual.(AU)

Jabutis criados como animais de estimação entregues voluntariamente por seus donos ou apreendidos pelos agentes ambientais formam um grande contingente de animais que lotam os centros de triagem nas diversas regiões do Brasil. Não existe um consenso sobre o destino destes animais e os seus números continuam a crescer. Neste estudo avaliamos os deslocamentos de Chelonoidis carbonaria oriundos de centros de triagem em áreas de plantio de cacau e de remanescentes florestais buscando levantar a área de vida e a dispersão dos indivíduos. Após um período de quarentena e aclimatação de 120 dias 10 indivíduos adultos de C. carbonaria foram soltos e monitorados por radiotelemetria durante 10 meses. Os radiotransmissores de dois indivíduos apresentaram problemas não sendo possível acompanha-los. Cinco indivíduos permaneceram na área após 10 meses de soltura evitando, após os três meses iniciais, o contato com os humanos e vivendo em uma área de até 7,75 ha. Os principais problemas verificados foram a aproximação dos indivíduos das áreas habitadas nos três primeiros meses após a soltura, a morte de dois indivíduos e a dispersão de outro. Ao final do experimento os animais foram devolvidos ao centro de triagem de origem. Nossos resultados sugerem que uma parcela dos animais dos centros de triagem apresenta condições sobreviver em condições naturais. Considerando a sobrevivência e a fidelidade à área de soltura uma possível translocação poderia apresentar um sucesso parcial. Esta medida, entretanto, caso seja adotada, deve ser precedida de estudos sobre a origem dos animais e de uma rigorosa análise genética, sanitária e comportamental de cada indivíduo.(AU)

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