Artificial establishment of a ground squirrel colony
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Published source details
Salmon T.P. & Marsh R.E. (1981) Artificial establishment of a ground squirrel colony. Journal of Wildlife Management, 45, 1016-1018.
Published source details Salmon T.P. & Marsh R.E. (1981) Artificial establishment of a ground squirrel colony. Journal of Wildlife Management, 45, 1016-1018.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Use holding pens at release site prior to release of translocated mammals Action Link |
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Use holding pens at release site prior to release of translocated mammals
A study in 1976–1978 in a pasture in California, USA (Salmon & Marsh 1981) found that following release from holding pens at the release site, translocated California ground squirrels Spermophilus beechey established a reproductive colony. Reproduction occurred within one of the holding cages, but the number of young was not determined. At least three of the eight ground squirrels released from cages were still alive 8–13 months after release. Four wire-mesh cages (1.2 × 2.4 × 0.6 m high) were part-filled with soil, to 41 cm depth, in a 7.5-ha pasture. Cages each had four pipes (20 cm long, 10 cm diameter) leading down into the soil, as refuges. Cages were positioned in two adjacent pairs. Pairs were 46 m apart. In November 1976, one pair of wild-caught California ground squirrels was released into each cage. Squirrels were allowed to exit from two of the cages in March 1977 and from the other two in June 1977. In February–April 1978, tagged and non-tagged squirrels were observed and/or live-trapped near the cages.
(Summarised by: Ricardo Rocha)
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