Tools And Technology Comparing Telemetry and Fecal DNA Sampling Methods to Quantify Survival and Dispersal of Juvenile Pygmy Rabbits STEPHANIE M. DEMAY, 1 Environmental Science Program, University of Idaho, Moscow ID 83844, USA JANET L. RACHLOW, Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow ID 83844, USA LISETTE P. WAITS, Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, Environmental Science Program, University of Idaho, Moscow ID 83844, USA PENNY A. BECKER, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, WA 98501, USA ABSTRACT Age-specific life-history data are needed to understand animal ecology and inform conservation strategies. We compared telemetry and noninvasive genetic sampling (NGS) as methods for monitoring survival and dispersal of juvenile pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis) reintroduced to central Washington, USA. During summer 2012, we released 104 juvenile rabbits, 85 of which were fitted with glue-on radiotransmitters and located 2–4 times/week while transmitters were retained ( x ¼ 15 days). We tracked and recovered 63 transmitters, while signals were lost from 22. Most rabbits remained near the release site, with 9 dispersing > 1 km, and only 2 moving >3 km. During winter, we surveyed nearly 9 km 2 around the release site and collected 117 fecal samples for genetic analysis. Forty-two individuals were identified, 38 from the summer releases (37% survival) and 4 born in the wild from parents released in 2011. Using NGS, we identified rabbits 1) released without transmitters, 2) with undetected transmitter signals, 3) presumed dead, and 4) produced in the wild. Short-term dispersal behavior was best gathered with telemetry, but information was limited, and we were unable to estimate survival probabilities because of the short duration of transmitter retention. The information on dispersal, survival, and reproduction provided by NGS allowed us to evaluate longer term reintroduction success, but was limited by the area we were able to search. We compare the results, costs, benefits, and limitations of each method for addressing specific monitoring objectives. Ó 2015 The Wildlife Society. KEY WORDS Brachylagus idahoensis, dispersal, noninvasive genetic sampling, pygmy rabbit, reintroduction, telemetry, Washington. Because juvenile demographic parameters can strongly influence the dynamics of populations, data on age-specific patterns of survival and dispersal can improve our understanding of animal ecology and inform conservation strategies. Survival of juveniles, which influences recruitment into the reproductive age classes, is influenced by many factors, including predation, disease, resource limitation, and juvenile dispersal (Caughley 1966, Krebs et al. 1986, Gaillard et al. 1998). Dispersal contributes to genetic and demo- graphic connectivity among populations, and influences recolonization probabilities of habitat patches, which can be critical for persistence of metapopulations (Bowler and Benton 2005). High rates of mortality and natal dispersal behaviors can make monitoring juvenile animals more challenging than monitoring adults (Promislow and Harvey 1990, O’Donoghue 1992), and these difficulties should be considered when implementing monitoring strategies. Radiotelemetry is a commonly employed technique for monitoring demographics and movements in wildlife species; however, the small size of juvenile animals often limits the weight and size of transmitters that can safely be used (Sikes et al. 2011). Small transmitter size can limit signal strength, battery life, and ability to incorporate additional features such as GPS technology. In addition, continued growth of juveniles can preclude standard designs for attachment of transmitters, necessitating alternative methods such as expandable collars, use of adhesives to attach transmitters, or implantation of telemetry devices (Fuller et al. 2005). For example, glue-on radiotransmitters have been used to study survival and dispersal of juveniles for a variety of small-bodied species, including snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus; O’Donoghue and Boutin 1995), pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis; Price et al. 2010), and lemmings (Dicrostonyx groenlandicus; Blackburn et al. 1998). An alternative monitoring method is noninvasive genetic sampling (NGS), in which DNA is collected from sources that animals leave behind, such as hair or feces (Waits and Paetkau 2005, Schwartz et al. 2007, De Barba et al. 2010). Because animals do not need to be captured or observed, NGS is useful for detecting and monitoring rare and elusive species. Applications for NGS include gathering information about population size (Stenglein et al. 2010), distribution (Litvaitis et al. 2006), dispersal (Douadi et al. 2007, De Received: 16 June 2014; Accepted: 8 November 2014 1 E-mail: sdemay@vandals.uidaho.edu Wildlife Society Bulletin; DOI: 10.1002/wsb.521 DeMay et al.  Comparing Telemetry and Noninvasive Genetics 1