A Cause for Alarm: Increasing Translocation Success of Captive Individuals Through Alarm Communication

Translocation programmes implying the movement of animals from one place to another aim sustain endangered populations in wild. However, their success varies greatly, with predation being a major contributing factor. This is particularly prevalent released captive-raised individuals which have reduced or lost awareness predators. Alarm calls are an immediate response made toward predator, mostly studied highly predated, social vertebrates. These warning vocalizations vital part prey species' anti-predator behavior, enhancing individuals' and surrounding listeners' survival. To date, most translocation not considered this behavior for release success. Here we review literature summarizing alarm communication systems wild captive vertebrates, aiming establish recommendations actions could encourage vertebrate species. Observations show that alarm-call understanding gained through experience pressure young age, amongst conspecific heterospecific groups, can lack. information, combined consideration programme's accessible resources individual's developmental history, pivotal efficiently guide appropriate actions. Focusing on preserving behaviors captivity, provide list reinforcement throughout process. Ensuring predator maintenance translocated may greatly improve likelihood