Translocation as a tool for the conservation of the jaguar <i>Panthera onca</i>: a case study in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Abstract The success of translocation as a management tool is based on reversing the factors that led to population becoming threatened or locally extinct. We assessed whether translocating jaguar Panthera onca into surroundings protected area in Brazilian Atlantic Forest with resident was effective. captured male an urban where there were no substantiated previous records jaguars. In capture only one predation event had been recorded, when killed several chickens few days before capture. After we translocated forested 240 km from site, adjacent Rio Doce State Park. To investigate potential geographical origin individual any nearby fragment fragments Cerrado ecoregion, genotyped it for 12 microsatellite loci and compared results database developed previously. fitted GPS/VHF collar which recovered 2.5 months data. Post-release monitoring camera traps indicated established residence within region Park recorded events livestock. genetic analysis resembled individuals Inner Forest, Amazon. Translocation important avoiding potentially negative interactions between local people, may have benefitted at release site.