data and analysis for the paper:
Identifying cost-effective recovery actions for a critically endangered species
Pritchard, Rachel A., Kelly, Ella L., Biggs, James R., Everaardt, Annika N., Loyn, Richard, Magrath, Michael J.L., Menkhorst, Peter, Hogg, Carolyn J. & Geary, William L.
Abstract Threatened species managers are often required to make swift decisions in the face of considerable uncertainty. We tested a structured approach for evaluating conservation options for the critically endangered orange-bellied parrot. The Orange-bellied Parrot Recovery Team provides advice to government agencies to inform the allocation of a limited number of captive-bred birds for different release scenarios. Using a structured expert elicitation approach, we determined that scenarios where more fledglings were released were more cost-effective compared to other options. Following this finding in 2019, the Recovery Team adjusted plans and allocated additional birds to fledgling release, a response that contributed to an increase in wild birds migrating in 2020. The challenges facing orange-bellied parrot conservation, including limitations in animals, time and resources, and high uncertainty, are common for threatened species recovery programs. Here we show that a structured process can help managers grapple with these complex trade-offs to make timely decisions.