Translocate adult or juvenile reptiles: Crocodilians
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Overall effectiveness category Awaiting assessment
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Number of studies: 2
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How is the evidence assessed?
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Effectiveness
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Certainty
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Supporting evidence from individual studies
A review of worldwide translocation programmes for reptiles during 1962–1990 (Dodd & Seigel 1991) found that four of five translocations of crocodilians were considered successful by providing evidence that a stable breeding population had been established. Four translocations of four species were considered successful (American alligator Alligator mississippiensis, mugger Crocodylus palustris, saltwater crocodile Crocodylus porosus, and gharial Gavialis gangeticus) and the success of the other translocation was unknown (Nile crocodile Crocodylus niloticus). Breeding was noted in two of the translocation programmes (American alligator and gharial). The origin of individuals (wild populations or captive-bred) was not described for all programmes. Published and unpublished literature was searched.
Study and other actions testedA review of worldwide reptile translocation projects during 1991–2006 (Germano & Bishop 2009) found that a third were considered successful with substantial recruitment to the adult population. Of the 47 translocation projects reviewed (39 reptile species), 32% were successful, 28% failed and long-term success was uncertain for the remaining 40%. Projects that translocated animals due to human-wildlife conflicts failed more often (63% of 8 projects) than those for conservation purposes (15% of 38) and those for research purposes (50% of 5). Success was independent of the source of animals (wild, captive, and combination), life-stage translocated, number of animals released and geographic region (see original paper for details). Translocated animals were adults in 75% of cases, juveniles and sub-adults in 64% of cases and eggs in 4% of cases. Wild animals were translocated in 93% of projects. The most common reported cause of failure was homing and migration with the second most common reported cause being insufficient numbers, human collection and food/nutrient limitation all equally reported. Success was defined as evidence of substantial recruitment to the adult population during monitoring over a period at least as long as it takes the species to reach maturity.
Study and other actions tested
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This Action forms part of the Action Synopsis:
Reptile ConservationReptile Conservation - Published 2021
Reptile synopsis