Contribution of released captive-bred Mallards to the dynamics of the natural population

• DOI: 10.51812/of.133883
• Publication Date: 2023-12-15T00:19:02Z
• Authors: Jocelyn Champagnon; Matthieu Guillemain; Jean-Yves Mondain...; Guillaume Souchay; Pierre Legagneux; Vincent Bretagnolle; Laura Van Ingen; François Bourguem...; Jean-Dominique Le...
• Keywords: Anas

The consequences of releasing captive-bred game animals into the wild have received little attention, despite their potential demographic impact, as well costs and/or benefits for recipient populations. If restocking aims at increasing harvest opportunities, increased hunting pressure is expected, which would then be supported by either or released individuals. On other hand, population may benefit from release conspecifics if this reduces on former through dilution risk selective harvesting Here, we modelled a Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) consisting individuals supplemented conspecifics, very common practice in Europe over last 40 years. objective was to test effect an increase rate and individuals, respectively. Our results show that, due low reproductive value Mal-lards, hardly affected change these performance Conversely, 15 percent lead quick decline population. We discuss context Camargue population, located South France, has experienced without apparent reduction size. suggest that only been possible Mallards.