rsg_book_2013

Mammals The use of locally adapted, wild-captured adults likelycontributed to the successfulsurvival and reproduction of thebobcats after their release. It isprobably best to useexperienced adults in reintroductionefforts wheneverpossible, and if not possible, toprovide as much experience aspossible to captive-bredanimals prior to any releaseeffort. Post-release monitoring thatincludes consideration oftrophic-level characteristics andeffects can potentially providegreater insight into projectsuccess (or failure). Despite thestated objective of controllingherbivore populations, theCaptured bobcat born on islandrelatively dramatic reduction inwhite-tailed deer abundance was somewhat of a surprise and re-establishmentof understory vegetation, including live oak seedlings, exceeded expectations. Had we conducted public scoping or human dimensions surveys prior topreparing the Environmental Assessment, we could have identified thediversity of public opinions that surrounded the proposed bobcat restoration.Furthermore, a proactive role with the media could have minimizedmisconceptions about the project and resulting controversy, and personalcontacts with influential people in the local community could have allowed usto identify opposition to the project prior to formally releasing the EA. A projectinvolving a more controversial species that potentially represents a greaterthreat to human safety or property (such as large carnivores) would be wise toinvest considerable effort in the human dimensions aspect of the project. Sometime between 1999 and 2011, coyotes either were introduced orsuccessfully immigrated onto Cumberland Island. By 2011, a year-roundbreeding population of coyotes existed on the island. The recent establishmentof coyotes on CINS may have undesirable effects on the bobcat population orof the native prey species, and may trigger additional trophic-level effects. Theestablishment of the coyotes does highlight the fact that all ecosystemschange over time and it may not be possible to anticipate all possible futurescenarios.239