Site fidelity, movement, and visibility following translocation of ornate box turtles (Terrapene ornata ornata) from a wildlife rehabilitation center in the high plains of Texas

Published source details Sosa J.A. & Perry G. (2015) Site fidelity, movement, and visibility following translocation of ornate box turtles (Terrapene ornata ornata) from a wildlife rehabilitation center in the high plains of Texas. Herpetological Conservation and Biology, 10, 255-262.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Rehabilitate and release injured or accidentally caught individuals: Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles Action Link

Rehabilitate and release injured or accidentally caught individuals: Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles

A replicated study in 2008–2009 in three sites of grass and scrubland and an urban area in Texas, USA (Sosa & Perry 2015) found that some rehabilitated ornate box turtles Terrapene ornata ornata survived until the end of the activity season that they were released in. At the end of the active season, five of 17 adult and 12 of 22 hatchling/juvenile rehabilitated and released ornate box turtles were confirmed as still alive. One adult and five hatchling turtles were confirmed dead. The fate of 11 adult and five hatchling turtles was unknown. In 2008 and 2009, thirty-nine ornate box turtles (17 adults and 22 hatchlings/juveniles) were rehabilitated and released from a rescue centre to three natural and one urban locations. Turtles were radio-tagged prior to release and located 3–6 times/week during the active season, or until death or loss of a transmitter signal.

(Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)