Which criteria should habitat selection for release meet?

• A. Food and water, cover or shelter, spatial needs
• B. Proximity to human development
• C. Temperature stability only
• D. Random distribution across landscape

Answer: (A)

When planning a release, the site should provide the animal’s basic needs: reliable food and water, safe cover or shelter, and enough space to carry out its natural activities. Food and water ensure immediate survival and ongoing health after release; cover protects the animal from weather and predators and allows for resting and safety; adequate space supports territory or home-range needs, feeding opportunities, and breeding when appropriate. These factors together create a habitat where the released animal can establish and sustain itself in the wild.

Proximity to human development isn’t a universal rule because some species may tolerate or even utilize certain edge habitats, while many others fare better away from heavy disturbance and traffic. Temperature stability alone is not enough because animals rely on a range of microhabitats and seasonal conditions to regulate thermoregulation and behavior. Releasing randomly across the landscape ignores ecological suitability, risks higher predation, poor foraging opportunities, and potential conflicts with other wildlife.