New Release Books by Greg Sherley

Records of translocations are incomplete or non-existent for many taxa in New Zealand, yet such records are essential for understanding biogeography and providing context for ecological restoration. Here we summarise all known translocations of native bats, reptiles, amphibians and terrestrial invertebrates, based on written records and first-hand verbal accounts. This report lists details of 183 translocations: 2 with bats, 86 with reptiles, 10 with amphibians, and 85 with invertebrates (including 44 molluscs, 39 insects, 1 centipede and 1 spider). We acknowledge the likelihood that there are additional translocations we are unaware of and recommend improvements for recording future translocation events and their outcomes in New Zealand by following the Standard Operating Procedure for translocations that is being developed by DOC wherever possible. We also recommend that consideration be given to the minimum number of individuals for release, to limit loss of genetic variation.