How to train your wildlife: A review of predator avoidance training

Many studies report that translocation projects using captive or captive-bred animals have low success rates. Captive animals can quickly lose natural behaviours, including recognition of predators, when isolated from natural pressures. To combat this, pre-release behavioural conditioning is often used in conservation trans locations to encourage natural behaviours and promote survival after release. Predator avoidance training is a conditioning technique that aims to improve prey responses to predators, usually by pairing a predator cue with an unpleasant stimulus. In this review, we collated and reviewed published literature on predator avoidance training and the methods used. Fish are the most common animal class to undergo predator avoidance training (42 % of published studies), followed by mammals (29 %), birds (20 %), amphibians (7 %) and reptiles (2 %). The majority of studies occurred in North America, Oceania, Europe, and South America, with very few studies in Asia, and none in Africa. The methods used during predator avoidance training varied highly, with a range of predator cues and unpleasant stimuli used. Further investigation into the most successful method of predator avoidance training is warranted, in order to determine which method work best for each animal group, and guarantee the best chance of survival for animals being trained. While most studies reported success, only one third of the studies released animals after predator avoidance training to determine how it affects their survival. Release and monitoring of animals is vital to determine the efficacy and validity of predator avoidance training, and should be examined further.

Automated summary

Many studies have shown that translocation projects using captive or captive-bred animals often face low success rates, leading to the need for pre-release behavioural conditioning to encourage natural behaviours and enhance survival post-release. Predator avoidance training is a common technique used to improve prey responses to predators by pairing predator cues with unpleasant stimuli.