Reintroduction to the Wild as an Option for Managing Navy Marine Mammals

摘要

The Biosciences Division (Code 51) of the Naval Command, Control and OceanSurveillance Center, RDTE Division (NRaD) investigated and evaluated reintroduction to the wild as an option for managing the Navy's marine mammals. Data were gathered from expert sources and two NRaD-organized workshops. The first workshop involved experts in reintroduction and marine mammal research and management. It focused on identifying requirements for the reintroduction of captive marine mammals to the wild in general. Closing statements made by the participants are provided in appendices. The second workshop involved NRaD marine mammal experts and focused on applying the first workshop's general findings to an evaluation of the potential for reintroducing Navy marine mammals specifically. This report summarizes the workshops' findings, suggests a general model for planning a reintroduction program, and considers issues relevant to the Navy's marine mammal program. This report recommends that the development of the required reintroduction methods and technologies could benefit the conservation of endangered species, but that the continued provision of lifetime care and maintenance for the Navy's marine mammals is the preferable option in terms of cost effectiveness. Marine mammals, Dolphins, Reintroduction.