Translocation
as a conservation tool: site fidelity and movement of repatriated gopher
tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus)
Tracey
D. Tuberville1, Erin E. Clark1,†, Kurt A.
Buhlmann1,2 and J. Whitfield Gibbons1
1
University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, P.O.
Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA
2 Center for Applied Biodiversity Science, Conservation International,
1919 M Street NW, Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20036, USA
Abstract
Efforts to evaluate the efficacy of translocation as a conservation tool
have mostly been inadequate, particularly for reptiles and amphibians,
leading many biologists to discount translocation as a viable management
option. Nevertheless, with two-thirds of the world’s tortoise and
freshwater turtle species at risk, translocation may be one of the few
remaining options for re-establishing extirpated populations and reconnecting
fragmented ones. We translocated 106 gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus)
to a protected area within the historical range but with no resident tortoises
and tested the effects of penning on site fidelity and activity area size.
We assigned 38 adults and subadults to one of three penning treatments
(9 months, 12 months and no penning) and radio-tracked them for 2 years.
Penning significantly increased site fidelity and resulted in smaller
activity areas. Our data suggest that translocation coupled with penning
will improve the likelihood of establishing self-sustaining tortoise populations.
†
Current address: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1875 Century Boulevard,
Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30345 USA
SREL Reprint #2903
Tuberville, T. D., E. E. Clark, K. A. Buhlmann and J. W. Gibbons 2005.
Translocation as a conservation tool: site fidelity and movement of repatriated
gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus). Animal Conservation 8:349-358.
