Mammalian Predators and Red-Legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa) Releases: A Case Study

Abstract

We performed a before–after control–impact (BACI) experiment to assess the impact of red-legged partridge releases on mammalian predators, a common game management measure. During three consecutive years (2014–2016), 100 farm-reared red-legged partridges were kept every year for four weeks in an acclimatisation pen on a hunting estate in southern Spain. Before and after releasing the birds, we estimated partridge and predator abundances in a 1000 m buffer around the release point and at a second point where no partridges were released as a control. Results showed that red fox and red-legged partridge abundances increased significantly close to the release points immediately after releasing the birds. Fox abundance was significantly associated with partridge abundance and distance to the pen. Other non-fox predators did not show the same patterns, nor did their abundance increase after the release. The experimental results suggest that the red fox is the main mammalian predator associated with the released birds and that partridge releases may produce an attraction effect on this predator species. The release of partridges can adversely affect the image of the fox as a predatory species that may take advantage of a newly abundant resource, creating a conservation problem that encourages conflict between predators, without distinguishing species, and hunters.