Monitoring of a Reintroduced Population of Juvenile Alligator Snapping Turtles

Published source details Anthony T., Riedle J.D., East M.B., Fillmore B. & Ligon D.B. (2015) Monitoring of a Reintroduced Population of Juvenile Alligator Snapping Turtles. Chelonian Conservation and Biology, 14, 43-48.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Release captive-bred reptiles into the wild: Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles Action Link

Release captive-bred reptiles into the wild: Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles

A replicated, controlled study in 2008–2012 in two rivers in Oklahoma, USA (Anthony et al. 2015) found that releasing captive-bred alligator snapping turtles Macrochelys temminckii resulted in some individuals surviving at least four years in the wild. At least 40 of 246 turtles (actual number not given) were recaptured at least once 1–4 years after release, and overall annual survival was estimated at 59%. Turtles that were older at their time of release were estimated to have higher annual survival than younger turtles (5 years old: 100%; 4 years old: 70%; 3 years old: 59%). Recaptured turtles all showed increases their shell size compared to when released (average of 7–29% growth/year). Body condition of released turtles was similar to that of turtles that remained in captivity (reported as statistical model output). In 2008–2010, a total of 246 turtles were released into two rivers. Turtles were captive-bred and raised in captivity for 3–7 years. Annual trapping was carried out in 2008–2012 during May–August for 60–189 trap nights/year. Size of recaptured turtles (number not given) was compared to 224 still in captivity.

(Summarised by: William Morgan)