Success of Delayed Translocation of Loggerhead Turtle Nests

Published source details Abella E., Marco A. & López-Jurado L.F. (2007) Success of Delayed Translocation of Loggerhead Turtle Nests. Journal of Wildlife Management, 71, 2290-2296.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Relocate nests/eggs to a hatchery: Sea turtles Action Link

Relocate nests/eggs to a hatchery: Sea turtles

A replicated, controlled study in 2005 on Boavista Island, Republic of Cabo Verde, western Africa (Abella et al. 2007) found that relocating loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta eggs to an on-beach hatchery resulted in lower egg mortality than naturally incubated eggs from one of two beaches, and that delayed, careful relocations resulted in similar mortality compared to immediate egg relocations. Egg mortality was lower for hatchery nests (immediate non-careful relocation: 38%; delayed and/or careful relocation: 48%) compared to natural in situ nests on one other beach (79%), but similar to natural in situ nests on another beach (56%). Egg mortality was similar for immediate (38%) and delayed, careful (48%) relocation, and mortality was similar regardless of the length of the time delay (0–96 h after laying: 41–55% mortality). Eggs relocated to the on-beach came from nests laid in flood-prone or silty areas. Eggs from 50 nests were moved at 0, 12, 24, 84, and 96 post-laying (10 nests/treatment), and care was taken to keep eggs upright. Eggs from a further 134 nests were taken to the hatchery immediately after laying with no care taken to control egg vibration or orientation. Eggs from two other beaches (41 and 34 nests each) were left in the nests to incubate naturally. All nests were excavated five days after the last emergence to assess egg mortality.

(Summarised by: Maggie Watson, William Morgan)