Effects of subsidized predators, resource variability, and human population density on desert tortoise populations in the Mojave Desert, USA
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Published source details
Esque T.C., Nussear K.E., Drake K.K., Walde A.D., Berry K.H., Averill-Murray R.C., Woodman A.P., Boarman W.I., Medica P.A., Mack J. & Heaton J.S. (2010) Effects of subsidized predators, resource variability, and human population density on desert tortoise populations in the Mojave Desert, USA. Endangered Species Research, 12, 167-177.
Published source details Esque T.C., Nussear K.E., Drake K.K., Walde A.D., Berry K.H., Averill-Murray R.C., Woodman A.P., Boarman W.I., Medica P.A., Mack J. & Heaton J.S. (2010) Effects of subsidized predators, resource variability, and human population density on desert tortoise populations in the Mojave Desert, USA. Endangered Species Research, 12, 167-177.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Translocate adult or juvenile reptiles: Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles Action Link |
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Translocate adult or juvenile reptiles: Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles
A controlled study in 2008 in desert scrubland in California, USA (Esque et al. 2010) found that most translocated desert tortoises Gopherus agassizii survived at least eight months after release and had similar mortality rates to resident tortoises. Eight–nine months after being released, 268 of 357 translocated desert tortoises were still alive. Mortality rates of translocated desert tortoises (89 of 357 individuals died, 25%) was statistically similar to mortality rates of resident tortoises in the release area (29 of 140 individuals died, 21%) and resident tortoises outside of the release area (28 of 149 individuals died, 19%). In March-April 2008, a total of 571 desert tortoises were translocated from a military reservation to 14 widely separated, unfenced public lands (across a total area of 1,000 km2). Translocated tortoises (357 individuals), resident tortoises in the release areas (140 individuals), and resident tortoises outside of the release areas (149 individuals) were radio-tracked at least once a month in March–December 2008. Mortality rates are based on the radio-tracked tortoises only.
(Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)
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