In wildlife management, what does "catch and release" mean?

The concept of "catch and release" primarily refers to a practice in wildlife management where fish or other wildlife are captured, often during recreational fishing or research endeavors, and then returned to their natural habitat. This approach helps to maintain wildlife populations by minimizing the impact of fishing on species numbers while still allowing for the collection of data, such as population health or behavior analysis.

In this context, option C emphasizes the dual purpose of capturing animals: for them to be studied or managed in a way that maintains their populations, which is essential for sustainability in wildlife management. It reflects an ethical commitment to conservation, allowing researchers to gather necessary information without removing animals from their ecosystems permanently.

The other options involve scenarios that do not fit the definition of "catch and release." Keeping fish during a fishing competition, capturing animals solely for breeding, or removing invasive species all represent different actions that do not incorporate the principle of returning the wildlife to their original habitat after examination or interaction.