Immediate response to translocation without acclimation from captivity to the wild in Hermann’s tortoise
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Published source details
Lepeigneul O., Ballouard J.M., Bonnet X., Beck E., Barbier M., Ekori A., Buisson E. & Caron S. (2014) Immediate response to translocation without acclimation from captivity to the wild in Hermann’s tortoise. European Journal of Wildlife Research (formerly Zeitschrift für Jagdwissenschaft 1955-2003), 60, 897-907.
Published source details Lepeigneul O., Ballouard J.M., Bonnet X., Beck E., Barbier M., Ekori A., Buisson E. & Caron S. (2014) Immediate response to translocation without acclimation from captivity to the wild in Hermann’s tortoise. European Journal of Wildlife Research (formerly Zeitschrift für Jagdwissenschaft 1955-2003), 60, 897-907.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Rehabilitate and release injured or accidentally caught individuals: Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles Action Link |
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Rehabilitate and release injured or accidentally caught individuals: Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles
A controlled study in 2012–2013 in mountainous grasslands in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, southwest France (Lepeigneul et al. 2014) found that 12 released rehabilitated Herman’s tortoises Testudo hermanni hermanni survived at least three months in the wild and bred. After 3 months, all 12 released rehabilitated tortoises remained within 2 km of their release site and moved similar daily distances (27–38 m/day) to resident tortoises monitored at the same time (34–40 m/day). The authors report that female released tortoises were observed mating with male resident tortoises on several occasions. Twelve radio-tagged Herman’s tortoises were released directly into a national nature reserve (165 ha) in April 2013. The released tortoises were wild individuals that had been rehabilitated and maintained in captivity in a rescue facility in naturally-vegetated outdoor enclosures (7 m x 7 m) for 2–8 years prior to release. Released tortoises were radio-tracked in April–July in 2013. Resident tortoises captured within 0.8 km of the release site were also monitored in April–July using radio-tags in 2012 (9 individuals) and 2013 (14 individuals). All tortoises were tracked daily and behaviours were observed from a distance.
(Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)
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