Study

Movement patterns by Egernia napoleonis following reintroduction into restored jarrah forest

  • Published source details Christie K., Craig M.D., Stokes V.L. & Hobbs R.J. (2011) Movement patterns by Egernia napoleonis following reintroduction into restored jarrah forest. Wildlife Research, 38, 475-481.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Restore former mining or energy production sites

Action Link
Reptile Conservation

Translocate adult or juvenile reptiles: Lizards

Action Link
Reptile Conservation
  1. Restore former mining or energy production sites

    A replicated, controlled study in 2008–2009 in eucalypt forest in Western Australia, Australia (Christie et al. 2011) found that all wild Napoleon’s skinks Egernia napoleonis reintroduced to restored bauxite mine sites moved to unmined forest within a week of being released and travelled further each day than skinks released directly into unmined forest. Six of six Napoleon’s skinks translocated to restored mine sites moved into unmined forest within 7 days. In the first 30 days, skinks released into restored mine sites travelled greater daily distances (4.0 m/day) compared to skinks released into unmined forest (1.9 m/day). All 12 skinks (6 released in restored mining sites; 6 released in unmined sites) had settled in unmined forest after four months, but skinks released into restored mine sites still travelled more each day (3.0 m/day) than skinks originally released into unmined forest (0.4 m/day). In November 2008, twelve Napoleon’s skinks were released in three five-year-old restored forest sites and three unmined forest sites (two skinks/site; see original paper for details of restoration). Skinks were radio-tracked weekly for the first four weeks after release and then monthly for the next three months. Skinks were recaptured and weighed monthly.

    (Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)

  2. Translocate adult or juvenile reptiles: Lizards

    A replicated, controlled study in 2008–2009 in eucalypt forest in Western Australia, Australia (Christie et al. 2011) found that 10 of 12 translocated Napoleon’s skinks Egernia napoleonis survived at least four months, but all skinks released in restored mine sites moved to unmined forest within a week of being released. Ten of 12 translocated Napoleon’s skinks survived at least four months after translocation. One skink lost significant weight, was returned to its source site and was classed as a reintroduction failure. The fate of one skink was unknown as it lost its radio transmitter (the authors reported possibly due to a predatory attack). Of the 10 skinks that remained in the reintroduction sites, eight gained weight after release and two lost a small amount of weight (<1 g). Six of six Napoleon’s skinks translocated to restored mine sites moved into unmined forest within 7 days and settled in unmined forest after four months. In November 2008, twelve Napoleon’s skinks were released in three 5-year-old restored forest sites and three unmined forest sites (two skinks/site; see original paper for details of restoration). Skinks were radio-tracked weekly for the first four weeks after release and then monthly for the next three months. Skinks were recaptured and weighed monthly.

    (Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)

Output references
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