Relocating Wildlife Requires Caution

Relocation, sometimes referred to as translocation or transplantation, is the 

capture and transfer of a wild animal from one area to another. Relocation 

has been used to enhance or reintroduce populations of rare or locally 

extinct wildlife, provide hunting or wildlife viewing opportunities, and 

reduce local human-wildlife confl icts. Thousands of individual animals are 

intentionally moved across the United States each year. WS assists wildlife 

resource management agencies with relocation efforts where practical and 

permissible.

 Although poorly documented, a substantial number of animals are 

also unintentionally relocated in trucks, trains, and boats associated with 

interstate movement of garbage or other commodities. WS helps reduce 

and manage damage to agriculture, natural resources, or property caused 

by the accidental translocation of wild animals. 

 Unplanned relocation can have devastating impacts. The brown tree 

snake, accidentally introduced to Guam in the mid-1900s, has caused—

among other damage—the near extinction of most of Guam’s native 

forest birds and reptiles. Millions of dollars are being spent to manage 

populations and prevent the snake’s spread to other islands. Zebra and 

quagga mussels, introduced to American waters in the 1980s, cause 

damage to infrastructure and native wildlife. Their range can unintentionally 

expand as boats are moved from one waterway to another.

 Owners of exotic pets sometimes cannot manage their charges and 

release them into the wild. WS was asked to eradicate a growing population 

of the giant African (Gambian) pouch rat on a Florida key, because the 10-

15 pound rodent posed a risk to becoming an agricultural pest. 

Other released invasive species representing environmental hazards 

include: pythons, iguana, nutria, and European starlings. 

Protecting People

Protecting Agriculture

Protecting Wildlife

Wildlife Services Factsheet

February 2011

Relocating Wildlife 

Requires Caution

Wildlife Services (WS), a 

program within the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture’s 

(USDA) Animal and Plant 

Health Inspection Service 

(APHIS) provides Federal 

leadership and expertise 

to resolve wildlife damage 

that threatens the Nation’s 

agricultural and natural 

resources, human health and 

safety, and property. 

An important part of WS’ 

mission includes assisting State 

and Federal agencies with 

the relocation of wild animals 

and reducing damage caused 

by accidentally or illegally 

relocated animals. These 

efforts include conducting 

wildlife disease surveillance and 

monitoring activities.

A WS canine team inspects 

cargo to prevent the 

unintentional spread of 

the brown tree snake from 

Guam.
 The relocation of wild animals can hinder efforts 

to contain or eliminate wildlife diseases such as 

chronic wasting disease, bovine tuberculosis, and 

rabies. Experts believe that in the 1970s, hunters 

relocated rabies-infected raccoons from Florida to the 

Mid-Atlantic States, thus expanding the range of that 

disease. The cost of living with rabies in the United 

States exceeds $300 million per year. WS established 

the National Rabies Management Program to prevent 

the further spread of rabies and eventually to eliminate 

this disease in the United States. Through the National 

Wildlife Disease Program, WS seeks the early detection, 

prevention, and control of wildlife-borne diseases, 

including those that can harm human health and 

agriculture. 

 Another example of the possible negative impact of 

relocation was seen in 2007 when State and Federal 

offi cials confi scated red fox and coyote being illegally 

relocated from the Midwest to the Southeast United 

States. Although the animals were negative for 

rabies, they tested positive for canine distemper, six 

different viruses, and 23 species of parasites. Canine 

distemper—contagious, incurable, and often fatal—

affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central 

nervous systems of dogs and many carnivores.

 Feral swine, often called wild hogs or pigs, are a 

nonnative species that represents a devastating threat 

to native wildlife, ecosystems, and agriculture. They 

are both environmentally destructive and carry diseases

that affect people, domestic pets, and livestock, 

causing at least $1 billion in damage each year. 

In 1988, feral swine were found in 16 States; today, 

they are in at least 35 States, in part due to illegal 

relocation for recreational hunting. Relocating feral 

swine without negative blood tests for certain diseases 

is against the law. 

 In recent years, various nongovernmental 

organizations and associations have recognized the 

potential negative impact translocation can have on 

disease management. They support the adoption and 

enforcement of more aggressive State and Federal 

regulations prohibiting importation, distribution, and 

relocation of some wildlife species, including bats.

Benefi cial Relocation

Wildlife can be trapped and relocated for the purpose 

of reintroducing a wildlife species in areas where they 

are locally extinct. To prevent the spread of disease, 

a thorough examination and disease screening is an 

important precautionary step prior to moving wildlife. 

 WS has assisted in the careful, supervised relocation 

of gray wolves and big horn sheep, among other 

species. At airports, WS also occasionally relocates 

raptors with permission of other agencies that manage 

bird species. 

 Since the 1970s, 18 States have been reintroducing 

river otters successfully. From 2008 to 2010, WS 

worked cooperatively with several organizations to 

reintroduce more than 30 healthy river otters to New 

Mexico’s Rio Pueblo De Taos Indian Reservation from 

Washington, where they were encountering confl icts 

with people. Prior to transport, the river otters were 

carefully examined to ensure they were healthy and free 

of disease. APHIS’ Veterinary Services staff performed 

the examinations, including blood tests, screening for 

diseases, and a 7-day quarantine to observe for signs of 

disease or illness.

Concerns about Relocation of Wildlife

Whether animals are moved unintentionally or on 

purpose, signifi cant unintended negative consequences 

can occur when the public, nuisance wildlife 

control operators, rehabilitators, or others move 

Each year, invasive feral swine, or wild hogs, cause more than $1 billion in property damage—

like the agricultural loss shown in this corn fi eld.
wildlife. Individuals sometimes transport and release 

rehabilitated sick or injured wildlife. Relocation of 

nuisance wildlife is often suggested rather than lethal 

removal. Although this seems humane, it may pose 

a threat to the animals themselves or may expand the 

areas in which nuisance damage occurs. 

 

 Research has shown that animals released in 

a new area may face aggressive competition from 

existing animals in the area. Some species, such as 

white-tailed deer, may be so stressed by capture that 

they become physically ill after release and some die. 

Finding available, suitable habitat may be extremely 

diffi cult for species that already have high population 

numbers, such as beaver, raccoon, and Canada geese.

 Wildlife managers recognize relocation is often 

a complex issue. Key concerns associated with the 

relocation of nuisance mammals include: 

• Stress and mortality for the animals being moved; 

• Lack of suitable release sites; 

• Impacts on resident animals at release sites; 

• Disease spread to other wildlife, livestock, 

companion animals, and people;

• Impacts on the National Rabies Management 

Program and other disease management initiatives; 

and

• Relocated wildlife can return and continue to cause 

confl icts or can create a new problem in another 

location.

 For guidance on resolving a wildlife problem, rather 

than relocating wildlife, contact your State’s wildlife 

management agency or USDA–WS program at 1–866–

4–USDA–WS (1–866–487–3297). WS personnel can 

provide advice on legal and practical methods for 

managing wildlife damage.

Please remember:

 Movement of wildlife can cause 

competition for food and habitat 

between the resident population and 

the newly introduced animal. 

 Moving certain wildlife is against the 

law in many States. 

 Relocation can spread diseases, such 

as distemper and rabies, to new areas.

 Some species can be highly 

destructive if introduced into 

inappropriate areas. 

 State or Federal laws may prohibit or 

restrict relocation within or out of a 

State.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Mention of companies or commercial products does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the USDA over others not mentioned. The USDA neither guarantees 

nor warrants the standard of any product mentioned. Product names are mentioned solely to report factually on available data and to provide specifi c information. 

United States Department of Agriculture

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

USDA–APHIS Veterinary Services conducted 

examinations to ensure the health of river otters 

relocated by WS from Washington to New Mexico.