Conservation translocation: planning to move or reintroduce a species into the wild
How to do a responsible species reintroduction or other conservation translocation that involves moving plants, animals or fungi to another location in the wild.
Applies to England
A conservation translocation is the deliberate movement and release of organisms where the primary objective is a conservation benefit.
Types of conservation translocation
There are 4 types of translocation project that can be used to conserve a species:
- reinforcement – moving and releasing an organism into an existing population of the same species
- reintroduction – moving and releasing an organism to areas from which it has been lost
- assisted colonisation – moving an organism outside its natural range to where current or future conditions are more suitable
- ecological replacement – moving and releasing an organism outside its natural range to perform an ecological function that has been lost due to extinction of another organism
By following the 9 principles listed below, conservation translocation can benefit species, habitats, society and the economy.
Principles of conservation translocation
Follow these principles to maximise the chances of success for a conservation translocation.
1. Identify the conservation need for a species and ecosystem, and set goals
Consider at the outset if there is a need for conservation action for the species and the habitat.
Gather evidence to support your view that the timing and circumstances are right for the project to work. If you identify a need for action, you should define clear goals, such as:
- realistic timeframes
- the geographical scale
2. Evaluate if translocation is appropriate
There may be other measures that are equally effective, simpler or cost less. For example, habitat management could enable a species to colonise an area without any other intervention.
Only go ahead with your plan if the evidence supports that the conservation translocation is suitable, and you’ve considered alternative approaches.
3. Develop a plan
Gather the evidence needed to develop a successful project.
You should be able to answer the following questions:
- What are your objectives?
- What does success look like?
- What actions will you take and are they deliverable?
- Is the project desirable?
- Have you undertaken sufficient social engagement?
- What are the risks?
- Do you have enough resources to see the project through?
- How will you monitor the project?
- What other conservation management is required?
- What is your exit strategy?
4. Get legal permissions and licences
You’ll need to:
- get permission from any landowners involved
- check if you need a licence for your project
- consult Natural England about your plans by emailing speciesrecoveryreintroduction@naturalengland.org.uk – they will advise whether the site or species is protected, and tell you what else you might need for your project
- understand and follow legislation on health and safety
- comply with the ‘Protect animal welfare’ section in the Reintroductions and other conservation translocations: code and guidance for England
5. Maximise chances of successful establishment
You must have a thorough knowledge of the species and its ecology to make sure previous threats that caused extinction are reduced or removed.
You should understand why the species is in decline in that habitat, so that you can remove or reduce those threats to your project.
6. Maximise biodiversity benefits and minimise risks of harm to biodiversity
Make sure your project is integrated with wider landscape schemes and projects in the area. Do not remove organisms from a site if it will jeopardise that site or population.
Consider whether translocation will have a negative effect on existing species in the area of relocation. For example, by introducing a competitor that displaces another species.
You should source organisms from ecologically similar areas, unless it is not possible, to preserve genetic diversity. For example, pine martens in the UK are genetically different to pine martens in Ireland and Europe.
7. Consider how to deliver wider benefits to society and minimise conflict with others
Try to deliver wider economic benefits where possible. Talk to people who could be affected by the project, such as nearby landowners and managers, residents and businesses.
Check if the species could cause harm to humans by introducing health problems, or negative impacts for livelihoods or leisure activity.
8. Show accountability, transparency and openness
Communicate openly with stakeholders and members of the public, so they can have an informed view of your plans. Answer their questions.
9. Record actions and communicate outcomes
Document what you do. Monitor and evaluate, and share your findings with the wider public, so that others can learn from successes and failures in the project.
To find out how to do a successful translocation, read the Reintroductions and other conservation translocations: code and guidance for England.
Get advice
Contact Natural England for advice on carrying out a conservation translocation.