Reintroduction objectives, decisions and outcomes: global perspectives from the herpetofauna

Abstract Reintroductions and other conservation translocations are an important but often controversial form of wildlife management. Some authors have suggested the low success rates may reflect poor planning and decision‐making. In this study, we used examples of herpetofaunal reintroductions, published in four volumes of the IUCN 's R eintroduction S pecialist G roup G lobal P erspectives in R eintroduction B iology, to identify the objectives set by reintroduction practitioners, the indicators of success they choose and the types of difficulties they encounter. We found objectives focused on target species, but also on broader ecological objectives, such as ecosystem restoration, and social and economic aims. Practitioners reported high success rates: however, these referred to a mixture of general objectives, reflecting…