Translocation of black-headed dwarf chameleons Bradypodion melanocephalum in Durban, KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa

Published source details Armstrong A.J. (2008) Translocation of black-headed dwarf chameleons Bradypodion melanocephalum in Durban, KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa. African Journal of Herpetology, 57, 29-41.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Translocate reptiles away from threats: Snakes and lizards Action Link

Translocate reptiles away from threats: Snakes and lizards

A replicated study in 2002–2007 in two sub-tropical urban sites with mixed vegetation in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (Armstrong 2008) found that after translocating black-headed dwarf chameleons Bradypodion melanocephalum away from a proposed development, one of two release sites hosted populations larger than the release cohort after five years. During the first year following release, fewer chameleons were found than were released at both sites (site one: 35 released, 3–22 observed; site two: 15 released, 3–12 observed). Two to five years following release, 0–5 chameleons were observed at site one, whereas 10–59 were observed at site two. Chameleons had been observed in both sites prior to the translocation, but a survey of site two in 2002 found no chameleons. In 2002, sixty-eight chameleons were captured in a proposed development area, and 35 were released at site one and 15 at site two. A barrier fence was installed between the development area and release site one. Vegetation was managed in 2004 (both sites) and 2007 (one site, see original paper for details). In 2002–2003, surveys of the specific release locations within each site were carried out at night using a torch (site one: 10 survey nights; site two: 7 survey nights). In 2004–2007, one transect was searched in site one (7 survey nights) and three were searched in site two (7 nights/transect).

(Summarised by: Maggie Watson, William Morgan)