Relocating populations of philopatric turtle species is a relatively rare method used for species conservation that has had equivocal results. The purpose of this study is to report on the status of a population of ornate box turtles, Terrapene ornata ornata Agassiz, that was introduced into a restored tallgrass prairie habitat 160 km from its native location. From 1998–2003, a total of 56 individual turtles and one nest were collected from their natal habitat and were released into either a 5-ha or 1.75-ha enclosure. Most of the turtles were scute marked prior to release to facilitate recognition of specific individuals. In 2006–07, we resampled the population to determine if any turtles survived the relocation, if any local reproduction could be detected, and if specific microhabitats were being selected. We captured 14 T. ornata ornata, 11 of which were definitively part of the original turtle introduction. Three juvenile turtles were found and aged to be 5 years, suggesting local reproduction is occurring on site. Finally, although some turtles move through the prairie habitat throughout the fall season, only a small sandy microhabitat was used for hibernating. Our results suggest that relocating ornate box turtle populations to avoid mortality can be used as a successful conservation practice provided that the individuals are first released into a confinement to restrict their philopatric instincts.
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1 July 2009
Response of a Population of Terrapene Ornata Ornata to Long Distance Relocation
Elizabeth C. Hill,
Henry J. Vogel,
Thomas R. Rosburg,
Loren Lown,
Keith S. Summerville
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animal reintroduction
habitat use
ornate box turtle
tallgrass prairie
translocation
