(Crocodylus porosus), Grey
Wolves (Canis lupus), and Brown
Bears (Ursus arctos) to name just
a few.
Translocation, it seems, is at best
a temporary solution to an
animal’s presence, not so much a
measure against further interac-
tions; nor is it ideal for the animal
itself. What does all this mean for
snake translocations here in
Australia? There does, at the
likely to move an animal out of
suitable local habitat (and per-
haps even allowing an individual
to remain within its own home
range).
Returning to the issue of human-
wildlife conflict, studies have
shown that even short distance
translocation is hardly an ideal
mitigation measure, as many
animals, including Tiger Snakes,
may return to their homes in or
wandering through the suburbs.
Australian elapids generally make
every possible effort to flee and
avoid humans. Also, snakes are
often small and have a habit of
exploring crevices and caves,
leading them to occasionally
enter homes via open doors and
windows. Moving them back out-
doors or off the property, away
from pets and people, is often all
that’s needed as they’ll generally
disappear into cover immediately
‘Even short distance translocation is hardly ideal,
as many animals, including Tiger Snakes , may
return to their homes in urban areas shortly after release.’
very least, appear to be ways to
minimise the impact. Studies on
various species, including
Eastern Massasaugas (Sistrurus
catenatus) in Canada, Pacific and
Timber Rattlesnakes in the USA,
and Dugites in Western Australia,
suggest a positive relationship
between translocation distance
and mortality rate. This makes
intuitive sense, with transloca-
tions over a shorter distance less
near urban areas shortly after
release. Here we come to an
interesting point. I’d like to
suggest that not all nuisance or
threatening animals are equal.
Compare the Tiger Snake to a
mammalian predator, for exam-
ple, a Coyote (Canis latrans). No
matter how hungry it is, the
former does not see you as a
prey item, but the same cannot
be said of a starving Coyote
after release. Moving large,
highly intelligent and spatially-
sensitive predators that return
home and see livestock or
humans as potential prey
(including bears, wolves or,
Below: Red-bellied Black Snakes
(Pseudechis poriphyriacus) have a
hugely variable home range -
anything from 0.02ha to 40ha or
more.