monitoring

activity patterns

post-release

reintroduction biology

activity budget

Behavioural ecology

Conservation and management

Reintroduction has become an increasingly common approach for conservation of endangered species. However, reintroductions can be logistically challenging and expensive, with uncertain outcomes, making it a priority to establish effective post-release monitoring techniques. In north-eastern Argentina, collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu) have been locally extinct for over 50 years. As part of a multi-species rewilding project, seven captive-born collared peccaries were released into Ibera Nature Reserve in 2015. Using radio telemetry and camera traps, we evaluated temporal changes in the peccaries’ post-release activity budget and activity patterns as indicators of reintroduction progress and potential establishment into the new area. Collared peccaries changed their activity budget and peak periods of activity towards a more natural pattern a year after release, from 30% to 49% foraging time and 18% to 2% traveling time. Our results highlight the potential of using activity budget assessments and camera trapping data to monitor the progress of introduced individuals and inform managers’ decision-making process after reintroductions.