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Badridze, J.; Gurielidze, Z.; Todua, G.S.; Badridze, N.; Butkhuzi, L.
The reintroduction of captive-raised large mammals into their natural habitat: problems and method
1992 Full Book
This article describes the results of reintroduction research carried out between 1974 and 1992 on captive-raised large mammals, with an accent on predators and especially wolves, chosen for their high psychological and social complexity. Four behavioral traits form the principle interdependant elements of this method, which aims at increasing the populations of endangered species:1) predators must have already acquired hunting habits at the moment of reintroduction, and have been "specialized" to hunt natural prey. 2) The area targeted for reintroduction must be familiar to the animals. 3) The animals must possess active avoidance reaction towards human strangers. 4) Predators must be conditioned not to attack domestic livestock. The article describes the method with which each key element was obtained, to result finally in the successful reintroduction of wolves in the Trialete Mountain Range in the Republic of Georgia.
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