Professional Standards and Ethical Frameworks for Wildlife Translocation Operations in Nigeria

Wildlife translocation, encompassing rescue, rehabilitation, and deliberate introduction or reintroduction of animals for conservation purposes, is increasingly practised by Nigerian protected area managers, private conservancies, and non-governmental organisations, yet the country lacks published professional standards, ethical guidelines, or regulatory oversight for translocation operations, creating risks of translocation-induced mortality and disease transmission. This study develops a professional standards and ethical framework for wildlife translocation operations in Nigeria, synthesising evidence from global translocation science, expert consultation, and analysis of translocation records from eleven operations conducted in Nigeria between 2018 and 2023. Document review and structured interviews with 28 translocation practitioners across government agencies, universities, and non-governmental organisations captured current practice norms, documented failures, and perceived regulatory gaps. Case analysis of eleven translocation operations evaluated adherence to IUCN Guidelines for Reintroductions and Other Conservation Translocations. Analysis reveals significant gaps in pre-translocation disease screening, post-release monitoring, and stakeholder consultation in the majority of reviewed operations. Only three of eleven operations demonstrated full compliance with IUCN guideline requirements. Mortality within six months of translocation exceeded 40% in three rescue and release operations where health assessment protocols were absent. The developed framework articulates minimum standards for five translocation categories (rescue and release, conservation introduction, reinforcement, reintroduction, and ecological replacement), specifying required competencies, equipment, protocols, and post-translocation monitoring obligations. Regulatory integration within the National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency framework is recommended. Keywords: wildlife translocation, professional standards, conservation ethics, IUCN guidelines, Nigeria