#BOUsci24 – Resources

Avian conservation translocations: from reinforcements to reintroductions to rewilding

12-13 November 2024

Main conference page


Attendee resources

PROGRAMME
ABSTRACT BOOKLET & DELEGATE LIST
KEYNOTE ABSTRACTS & PANEL DETAILS
GUIDE FOR ATTENDEES
GUIDE TO SLACK (for poster viewing & networking)
World clock (to check your local time)


Presenter resources

GUIDE FOR ZOOM PRESENTERS
GUIDE TO RECORDING A PRESENTATION IN ZOOM
GUIDE FOR BOUsci24 X (TWITTER) PRESENTERS
BOU GUIDE TO X (TWITTER) CONFERENCES
GUIDE FOR POSTER PRESENTERS
GUIDE TO SLACK
GUIDE FOR SESSION CHAIRS
GUIDE FOR ATTENDEES
Be colour blind aware
Code of conduct


Conference theme, aims and scope

As the global biodiversity and climate crises continue to escalate, there is a growing need for bold interventions aimed at restoring threatened populations and mitigating species extinctions. Conservation translocation, defined as “the deliberate movement of organisms from one site for release in another” for conservation benefit at a “population, species or ecosystem” level (IUCN, 2013), is a well-established conservation strategy that has been gaining popularity in recent decades. While commonly used to reintroduce species to historic parts of their range, translocations are also used to reinforce existing populations; restore ecosystem function; and mitigate the effects of climate change and other emerging pressures on small populations.

Birds are commonly translocated, and their vulnerability to threats such as habitat loss, introduced species, disease and climate change, means that translocation will likely grow in its utility and necessity for avian conservation. Overall, translocations can have high rewards, but they also come with high risks, and involve complex considerations during the justification, planning and implementation stages of the process that can impact the outcome of an intervention. This conference will discuss the latest research in avian translocation science and practice, identifying key opportunities and challenges to develop these fields. It aims to share knowledge and experiences from past, ongoing and planned translocation programmes to inform future translocation efforts.

This conference will cover a range of topics related to avian conservation translocations worldwide, including:

  • Demographic aspects and recent advances associated with translocation planning and monitoring;
  • Behavioural, genetic, health and welfare considerations for captive breeding programmes and translocation of wild-borne individuals;
  • Restoration of ecosystem function via reintroductions, ecological replacements and rewilding;
  • Implementation of decision science and adaptive management to improve translocation planning, monitoring, and evaluation;
  • Relevance of conservation social science and engagement to translocations.


Scientific Programme Committee

Dr Lynda Donaldson | Chair | RSPB, UK
Dr Katie Beckmann | University of Edinburgh, UK
Dr Victoria Franks | University of Salford, UK
Dr Kevin Wood | Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, UK & BOU Meetings Committee


Image credits
Top right: Common Crane | Zeynel Cebeci CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons
Bottom: White-tailed Eagle | Yathin S Krishnappa CC BY-SA 3.0 Wikimedia Commons