Challenges of monitoring reintroduction outcomes: insights from the conservation breeding program of an endangered turtle in Italy

Published source details Canessa S., Genta P., Jesu R., Lamagni L., Oneto F., Salvidio S. & Ottonello D. (2016) Challenges of monitoring reintroduction outcomes: insights from the conservation breeding program of an endangered turtle in Italy. Biological Conservation, 204, 128-133.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Release captive-bred reptiles into the wild: Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles Action Link

Release captive-bred reptiles into the wild: Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles

A replicated study in 2008–2015 in three locations on a river in Liguria, Italy (Canessa et al. 2016) found that three populations of released captive-bred European pond turtles Emys orbicularis survived in the wild for at least 8 years. After eight years, 80 of 200 (40%) captive-bred released European pond turtles were estimated to still be alive in three different sites. Annual survival rates of captive-bred turtles released were 67–91% (survival rates differed between release sites, see original paper for details). In 2000–2015, five-hundred captive-bred pond turtles were hatched in an outdoor breeding facility. Hatchlings were reared in an aquarium for two years before being returned to the breeding facility for outdoor acclimatization (duration not specified) prior to release. Approximately 60% of hatchlings survived 3–4 years in captivity. Captive-bred turtles were released annually in three sites in June–July in 2008–2015 (200 individuals released). Survival rates were estimated based on three trapping surveys carried out for three days at a time, in May–August 2008–2015.

(Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)