Reintroduction preparation and
knowledge of species biology
Whenever reintroduction managers
use scientific tools, the questions they aim
to answer are generally focused on the
preparation phase of translocations. The
challenge of captive breeding20 requires
studies of the genetic consequences of inbreedingzi,
behavioural consequences of
captivity22, and population consequences
of infectious diseasesi8, involving mainly
veterinary and zoo biologists. Many efforts
are dedicated to the maintenance of high
levels of genetic variation in captive-bred
and reintroduced populations. This may
be achieved by selecting individuals with
known pedigreeszs, individuals with high
allozyme heterozygosity or individuals
coming from geographically separated
populations24. However, in the last case,
the consequences of outbreeding depression
must be consideredzs. Moreover,
reintroduced individuals lack locally selected
traits that are likely to have existed
in the extinct population@. In the case of
population reinforcement, the impact of releases
on the residual population implies
caution regarding the origin of translocated
individuals (e.g. Ref. 26).