Protected Animal Translocation Policy
One of the greatest threats facing our native species is habitat loss and fragmentation, particularly in the face of a changing climate. Protecting and restoring habitat are two key strategies that the Queensland Government applies to ensure populations of Queensland’s native species remain viable.
A third strategy, which may be appropriate in certain circumstances, is animal translocation to enhance species survival or restore threatened ecosystems. Where a species is facing serious threats, and cannot be suitably protected in a particular area without intervention, we may consider undertaking, or approving, a translocation of individuals of the species to another location, to give the species or related ecosystems a more secure future.
In some cases, protected animals are removed from the wild to be part of a captive breeding program, with the goal of eventually reinforcing existing wild populations (reinforcement) or establishing new ones (assisted colonisation). Several of these initiatives have already been undertaken, resulting in improved recovery outcomes for threatened species both within Queensland and interstate. These translocations have relocated animals to locations both within their current and former distributions. Find out more about current and recent translocation projects on the threatened species featured projects web page.
Protected animal translocations require rigorous planning and preparation and must be guided by sound conservation science. They also need to be conducted with appropriate consultation and inclusion, for example, where possible, the process should be informed by the traditional knowledge and cultural connections of First Nations communities.
While translocation is a key tool for the conservation of threatened species, it may also be used as a wildlife management tool. For example, in situations where there is authorised land clearing, or where animals are causing a serious public safety concern, one of the management options may be to assess the animal’s suitability for translocation to a more suitable location. Also, before or after a natural disaster, it may be appropriate for wild animals to be translocated to locations where they are kept in captivity until such a time that they can be safely returned to their existing habitat or relocated.
The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation has developed the Protected Animal Translocation Policy (PDF, 331KB) which sets out the key principles for deciding when translocation is appropriate. The policy includes a list of detailed considerations the department follows to ensure the best possible decisions are made. This aims to maximise the chances of translocation success, minimise the risk of any adverse conservation outcomes or welfare impacts, ensure that all relevant parties and stakeholders are appropriately included in the process, and maximise knowledge transfer from each translocation project.
All translocations of native animals require authorisation under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. The specific type of authorisation required will depend on the particular circumstances. If you believe an animal translocation may be appropriate, please contact the department by email at wildlife.management@detsi.qld.gov.au and provide the following initial information:
- species name (common and scientific)
- numbers of individuals proposed to be translocated
- where animals are proposed to be taken from
- proposed timeframes (proposed commencement and completion dates)
- justification for the proposed translocation
- the type of translocation (see the Protected Animal Translocation Policy (PDF, 331KB) for further information).