We translocated squirrels using two study sites in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in the White Mountains (Arizona, USA). The first study site was near Big Lake (UTM coordinate: 12S 647118.39216871 3750447.4959222), while the second site was near Hannagan Meadow (UTM coordinates: 12S 655714.23295814 3723357.028484). Both sites had similar elevation, between 2650–2750 m and mixed conifer forest type. Common species were Douglas fir (Pseudostuga menziesii), blue spruce (Picea pungens), corkbark fir (Abies lasiocarpa), Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii), ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), southwestern white pine (P. strobiformis), and aspen (Populus tremuloides) [25 ]. The sites are 32 km apart.
We used Big Lake in fall and Hannagan Meadow in winter due to road accessibility (the road to Big Lake is close in winter). Although it is possible season might be confounded with location, both sites have stable red squirrel populations and the same vegetation type and structure suggesting this is unlikely.
All animals were translocated to areas inhabited by other red squirrels due to difficulty of finding areas that had no established squirrels yet met the environmental requirements for settlement. Releasing animals into an occupied area, can have different outcome than releasing animals in an empty environment. However, the recovery plan for this species includes the augmentation of the population (from captive-breed individuals) following the first year of release in the unoccupied habitat. In this situation, the response of the translocated individuals from this study will provide important information on translocation strategies.
We used Big Lake in fall and Hannagan Meadow in winter due to road accessibility (the road to Big Lake is close in winter). Although it is possible season might be confounded with location, both sites have stable red squirrel populations and the same vegetation type and structure suggesting this is unlikely.
All animals were translocated to areas inhabited by other red squirrels due to difficulty of finding areas that had no established squirrels yet met the environmental requirements for settlement. Releasing animals into an occupied area, can have different outcome than releasing animals in an empty environment. However, the recovery plan for this species includes the augmentation of the population (from captive-breed individuals) following the first year of release in the unoccupied habitat. In this situation, the response of the translocated individuals from this study will provide important information on translocation strategies.
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