Roadmap to recovery revealed through the reintroduction of an IUCN Red List species

Abstract Reintroductions are powerful tools for tackling biodiversity loss, but the resulting populations can be intrinsically small and vulnerable. It is therefore critical to maximise number of individuals that available contribute recovery efforts. To address this, we investigated how demographic parameters from a reintroduced population reveal threats long-term persistence, inform thresholds management interventions, create targets removing an endangered species IUCN Red List. We calculated capture-mark-recapture estimates eastern quolls ( Dasyurus viverrinus ) which had been fenced reserve in Australian Capital Territory. then incorporated into viability analyses (PVAs) estimate probabilities persistence under several scenarios, including supplementations harvests (removal translocation other locations). After determining sustainable harvest rates, ‘back-cast’ size occupancy area required remove List within 10 years. Our results indicated high mean apparent survival (90% ± 5), PVAs revealed probability over 50-year time horizon was 50.5% with no 0% when harvested > 6 individuals, 100% if ≤ 54 juveniles were combined annual supplementation ten maternal females (with young each). Based on this model, total 413 km 2 437 would needed recover years (i.e., 90 similar reserves, not accounting edge effects). Due inherent difficulty securing large areas recovery, see these ambitious as call coordinated collaborative sanctuary networks where managed metapopulation across multiple sites. By taking advantage rapid life history harvesting ‘doomed surplus’, managers achieve their stretch goals long term.