Data from: Reversing the effects of evolutionary prey naiveté through controlled predator exposure

1. Inappropriate anti-predator responses (naiveté) towards introduced predators is a key factor contributing to the extinction and endangerment of prey species worldwide and the failure of wildlife reintroductions. Here, we test the idea that reintroduction success can be improved by exposing a predator naïve prey species to introduced predators under controlled conditions (in situ predation) prior to reintroduction, such that prey adopt increased wary behaviours to aid in survival. 2. We exposed a population of a naïve marsupial, the greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis), to a controlled number of introduced predators (feral cats, Felis catus) for two years within a large fenced paddock and then compared the pre-release behaviour and post-translocation survival of predator exposed and predator naïve bilbies over 40 days. 3. Behavioural assays conducted in a small pen prior to reintroduction suggested that predator exposed bilbies were warier as they spent less time moving and more time in cover than predator naïve bilbies. 4. After translocation, predator exposed bilbies were more likely to survive to 40 days and were less likely to be preyed upon by cats than predator free bilbies. 5. Synthesis and applications. Naiveté towards predators is a major problem thwarting successful reintroductions worldwide. Our study demonstrates that exposure to predators under controlled conditions can increase survival of reintroduced prey and is a promising approach to overcome the problem of naiveté towards introduced predators and the global problem of prey naiveté. Future conservation of naïve prey species may depend on such training methods prior to releasing into areas where predators are present.Data for Ross et alData collected in the field at Arid Recovery Reserve in 2017. This data concerns bilby emergence time, pen behaviour, burrow use, and survival