Improving conservation outcomes in threatened species translocation programs

Conservation translocation refers to the human facilitated movement of living organisms, where the primary motivation is conservation. In this thesis, two real-world case studies—translocations of the endangered mallee emu-wren and five passerine species endemic to Norfolk Island—are used to investigate avenues for improving translocation practice across planning, implementation, post-release monitoring and reporting. Specifically, this thesis introduces and demonstrate a framework for the sustainable management of translocation source populations, assesses the influence of season and familiarity on post-translocation survival and behaviour and investigates opportunities for maximising genetic diversity in translocated populations.