Impact of Clutch Relocation on Green Turtle Offspring

Published source details Pintus K.J., Godley B.J., McGowan A. & Broderick A.C. (2009) Impact of Clutch Relocation on Green Turtle Offspring. Journal of Wildlife Management, 73, 1151-1157.
Share Tweet Email

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Relocate nests/eggs to a nearby natural setting (not including hatcheries): Sea turtles Action Link

Relocate nests/eggs to a nearby natural setting (not including hatcheries): Sea turtles

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2006 on a sandy beach on Ascension Island (Pintus et al. 2009) found that relocating green turtle Chelonia mydas eggs from nests in the tidal zone resulted in lower hatching success compared to in situ nests laid above the tidal zone. Hatching success was lower for relocated nests (66% and 67%) compared to natural nests laid further up the beach (86%). One relocation method (collecting eggs during laying process) resulted in more early-stage dead embryos compared to in situ nests (22 vs 9/nest) and the other method (nest excavation) in more late-stage dead embryos (17 vs 7/nest). In March–April, a 1 km stretch of beach was searched for nesting females. Nests in the tidal area (doomed nests) were relocated close to one of 23 natural nests laid further up the beach (23 locations further up the beach, with 2 relocated nests and 1 natural nest/location). Eggs were relocated by excavating the nest following completion of nesting; or by removing eggs from the chamber during the laying process. After hatchling emergence nests were excavated to assess hatching success.

(Summarised by: William Morgan)