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Assessing factors influencing a possible South China tiger reintroduction: a survey of international conservation professionals

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 March 2017

YIYUAN QIN  and
PHILIP J. NYHUS
YIYUAN QIN
Affiliation:
Colby College – Environmental Studies Program, 5358 Mayflower Hill, Waterville, Maine 04901, USA World Resources Institute, Washington, DC, USA
PHILIP J. NYHUS*
Affiliation:
Colby College – Environmental Studies Program, 5358 Mayflower Hill, Waterville, Maine 04901, USA
*
*Correspondence: Dr Philip J. Nyhus e-mail: [email protected]
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Summary

Tigers are among the most at-risk large carnivores and the South China tiger is the most threatened tiger subspecies. Reintroduction programmes are one strategy to re-establishing extirpated populations. China is committed to restoring wild South China tigers, but uncertainty remains about factors constraining these efforts. The aim of this study was to query conservation and reintroduction professionals about their attitudes and concerns and to provide guidance regarding a possible tiger reintroduction effort in South Central China. We carried out a global survey of 287 scholars and practitioners involved with wildlife reintroduction and conservation. We received responses from 68 (23.7%) respondents. More than 70% supported a potential South China tiger reintroduction effort, but many expressed concerns over planning and implementation, adherence to International Union for Conservation of Nature reintroduction guidelines and elimination of underlying threats. Respondents generally believed that China has the capacity to carry out such a programme, but may not have the experience or socio-political environment to address the issues facing human populations; 62% of respondents suggested a plausible release site should be greater than 2000 km2. To our knowledge, this is the first survey related to a potential large carnivore reintroduction programme in Asia; it has implications for future reintroduction and recovery programmes in Asia and globally.

Keywords

Panthera tigris amoyensisreintroductionChinasurveyconservation
Type
Non-Thematic Papers
Information
Environmental Conservation , Volume 45 , Issue 1: Thematic section. Humans and Island Environments , March 2018 , pp. 58 - 66
Copyright
Copyright © Foundation for Environmental Conservation 2017 

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