Conservation Evidence: Evidence Data

Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Maintain wild-caught, gravid females in captivity during gestation Seven studies evaluated the effects on reptile populations of maintaining wild-caught, gravid females in captivity during gestation. Two studies were in the USA and New Zealand and one was in each of Japan, Iran and Mexico. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (7 STUDIES) Reproductive success (7 studies): Five replicated studies in the USA, Japan, Iran and Mexico found that varying numbers of wild-caught snakes and lizards gave birth to live young or laid eggs that hatched successfully in captivity. One study also found that eggs laid in artificial nest chambers had higher hatching success than those laid outside of the chambers. One study in New Zealand found mixed effects of providing different basking conditions on the number of McCann’s skinks and common geckos that gave birth successfully. One controlled study in New Zealand found that McCann’s skinks in captivity that were treated for mites completed pregnancy more often and produced more viable offspring compared to skinks not treated. BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3766https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3766Tue, 14 Dec 2021 17:16:10 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use hormones and/or other drugs during captive-breeding programmes to induce reproduction/birth Nine studies evaluated the effects on reptile populations of using hormones and/or other drugs during captive-breeding programmes to induce reproduction/birth. Three studies were in each of the USA and New Zealand and one study was in each of the Netherlands, China and Japan. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (9 STUDIES) Reproductive success (9 studies): Three of four replicated, controlled studies (including one before-and-after study) in the USA and China found that plains gartersnakes, eastern painted turtles and red-eared sliders induced with oxytocin produced a similar percentage of live young compared to individuals that were not induced and laid eggs with similar hatching success or laid a similar number of eggs compared to what was observed in wild nests. The other study found that 25% of eggs from hormone-injected (luteinizing hormone and gonadotropin) four-eyed turtles were fertile, compared to 7–52% for females that were not injected or injected with a saline solution. One study also found mixed effects of different combinations of hormones and other drugs on inducing 13 turtle species. Five studies (including one before-and-after study) in the Netherlands, New Zealand and Japan found that oxytocin, arginine vasotocin and follicle-stimulating hormone induced egg laying/birth in yellow-headed box turtles, tuatara and common geckos or ovulation in hawksbill turtles. One study also found that only one yellow-headed box turtle female produced fertile eggs. BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3767https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3767Tue, 14 Dec 2021 17:27:59 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Release captive-bred reptiles into the wild: Sea turtles Three studies evaluated the effects of releasing captive-bred sea turtles into the wild. Two studies were in the Gulf of Mexico and one was in the Caribbean. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (3 STUDIES) Reproductive success (1 study): One replicated study in the Caribbean found that eight of over 30,000 captive-bred green turtles released into the wild (around 15,000 reared to one year or more in captivity) were observed nesting and two produced clutches of >100 eggs with hatching success of 63% and 88%. Survival (3 studies): Three replicated studies in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean reported that following releases of captive-bred Kemp's ridley turtles and green turtles into the wild, 120–606 of 22,000–30,000 turtles survived for 1–19 years after release. Condition (1 study): One replicated study in the Gulf of Mexico found that captive-bred Kemp's ridley turtles released into the wild grew by 19–59 cm over 1–9 years. BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3768https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3768Tue, 14 Dec 2021 17:46:32 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Relocate nests/eggs to a nearby natural setting (not including hatcheries): Snakes & lizards We found no studies that evaluated the effects of relocating nests/eggs to a nearby natural setting on snake and lizard populations. ‘We found no studies’ means that we have not yet found any studies that have directly evaluated this action during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore we have been unable to assess whether or not the action is effective or has any harmful impacts. Please get in touch if you know of such a study for this action.Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3769https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3769Tue, 14 Dec 2021 17:56:49 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Release captive-bred reptiles into the wild: Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles Fourteen studies evaluated the effects of releasing captive-bred tortoises terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles into the wild. Five studies were in the USA, three were in Italy, two were in the Seychelles, and one was in each of Madagascar, Australia and Spain and Minorca and one was global. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (13 STUDIES) Abundance (1 study): One global review found that when using recruitment to the adult population as a measure of success, 32% of reptile translocations/releases (releases of captive individuals were 7% of total projects) were successful. Occupancy/range (1 study): One review in Australia found that two of three releases of captive-bred Western swamp tortoises were classified as successful. Reproductive success (2 studies): Two studies (including one replicated study) in Italy reported evidence of a gravid female and successful reproduction following release of captive-bred European pond turtles. Survival (11 studies): Six of nine studies (including two replicated, controlled studies) in Madagascar, the Seychelles, the USA and Italy reported that 66–100% of 5–80 captive-bred tortoises and turtles released into the wild survived over monitoring periods of six months to two years. Two studies reported that 16–20% of 5 and 246 individuals survived over two years. The other study reported that some of over 250 individuals (number not given) were recaptured over a year of monitoring. One study also found captive-bred alligator snapping turtles that were older at their time of release had higher survival than younger turtles. One replicated study in Italy found that annual survival of released captive-bred European pond turtles was 67–91%. One replicated study in Spain and Minorca found that survival of captive-bred Hermann’s tortoises was higher after three years after release into the wild compared to 1–2 years after release. The study also found that after three years, survival of released tortoises was similar to that of wild tortoises in one population, but lower in a second population. Condition (2 studies): One of two controlled studies (including one replicated study) in the USA found that released captive-bred juvenile alligator snapping turtles grew at a similar rate and achieved higher body condition than juveniles that remained in captivity. The other study found that released alligator snapping turtles had similar body conditions compared to individuals that remained in captivity. BEHAVIOUR (1 STUDY) Behaviour change (1 study): One randomized study in the USA found that captive-bred Blanding’s turtles released into open water habitat had larger home ranges than those released into places dominated by cattail or willows. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3770https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3770Wed, 15 Dec 2021 11:07:11 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Release captive-bred reptiles into the wild: Snakes & lizards Ten studies evaluated the effects on reptile populations of releasing captive-bred snakes and lizards into the wild. Three studies were in New Zealand, two were in the USA and one was in each of the Galápagos, Spain, Australia and Canada and one was global. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (10 STUDIES) Abundance (2 studies): One global review found that when using recruitment to the adult population as a measure of success, 32% of reptile releases (releases of captive individuals were 7% of total projects) were successful. One review in New Zealand found that 13% of lizard releases (some involving captive-bred animals) found evidence of populations growth Reproductive success (3 studies): Three studies (including two reviews) in the USA and New Zealand found evidence of breeding following release in one of two captive-bred populations of cornsnakes, one captive-bred population of Otago skinks and in at least 16 lizard mitigation translocations, some of which involved captive-bred animals. Survival (9 studies): One replicated, controlled study in Spain found that released large psammodromus lizards had similar annual survival compared to resident lizards. Two of six studies (including one replicated study and two reviews) in the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Canada reported that 13% of 40 indigo snakes were re-sighted at least once during 5–8 years following release or that 58% of 12 Otago skinks survived at least 18 months. Two studies found that zero of nine and 27 individuals survived more than 143 days or beyond their first hibernation. The other two studies found that one of two and five of 53 releases (only some of which involved captive-bred animals) failed completely (no individuals survived). One study in New Zealand found that survival of captive-bred Otago skinks released into an enclosure was higher when mice had been eradicated compared to when skinks were released in the presence of mice. One replicated study in the Galápagos found that while releases were ongoing over a decade (183 released in total), 17–32 Galápagos land iguanas were recaptured each year. Condition (1 study): One controlled study in New Zealand found that body condition of captive-reared Otago skinks was higher than wild skinks, but sprint speed was lower. BEHAVIOUR (1 STUDY) Behaviour change (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in Spain found that released large psammodromus lizards moved between habitat fragments more frequently than resident lizards but showed similar behaviour in three other measures. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3771https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3771Wed, 15 Dec 2021 11:29:15 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Release captive-bred reptiles into the wild: Crocodilians Four studies evaluated the effects of releasing captive-bred crocodilians into the wild. Two studies were in China, one was in South Africa and one was a global review. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (4 STUDIES) Abundance (2 studies): One global review found that when using recruitment to the adult population as a measure of success, 32% of reptile translocations/releases (releases of captive individuals were 7% of total projects) were successful. One study in South Africa reported that following releases of captive-bred Nile crocodiles, wild populations increased in size over 30 years, but then declined in the subsequent 15 years. Reproduction (2 studies): Two studies (one replicated) in China reported that breeding or nesting was observed within four years of releasing captive-bred Chinese alligators. Survival (1 study): One study in China reported that of nine captive-bred Chinese alligators, three survived for nine years and six survived for at least one year following release. BEHAVIOUR (1 STUDY) Use (1 study): One replicated study in China reported that after 10 years of releases of captive bred Chinese alligators to an area that had historically been occupied, 56% of constructed ponds were occupied. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3772https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3772Wed, 15 Dec 2021 11:53:57 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Release captive-bred reptiles into the wild: Tuatara Two studies evaluated the effects of releasing captive-bred tuatara into the wild. One study was in New Zealand and one was a global review. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (1 STUDY) Abundance (1 study): One global review found that when using recruitment to the adult population as a measure of success, 32% of reptile translocations/releases (releases of captive individuals were 7% of total projects) were successful. Condition (1 study): One study in New Zealand found that tuatara reared close to the release site had higher growth, but similar body condition compared to individuals reared in a warmer climate. BEHAVIOUR (1 STUDY) Behaviour change (1 studies): One study in New Zealand found that tuatara reared close to the release site had similar home range sizes and post-release dispersal compared to individuals reared in a warmer climate. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3773https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3773Wed, 15 Dec 2021 12:02:09 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use holding pens or enclosures at release site prior to release of captive-bred reptiles Two studies evaluated the effects on reptile populations of using holding pens or enclosures at release sites prior to release of captive-bred reptiles. Both studies were in the USA. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (2 STUDIES) Survival (2 studies): Two controlled studies (including one replicated study) in the USA found that survival of captive-bred smooth green snakes and desert tortoises held in pens before release was similar over 3–5 months or 2–3 years compared to individuals released directly. BEHAVIOUR (1 STUDY) Behaviour change (1 study): One controlled study in the USA found that movement of smooth green snakes held in pens before release was similar compared to snakes that were released directly. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3774https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3774Wed, 15 Dec 2021 12:04:46 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Head-start wild-caught reptiles for release: Sea turtles Seven studies evaluated the effects of head-starting wild-caught sea turtles for release. Two studies were in the Caribbean Sea and one was in each of the Torres Strait, northern Australia, the Gulf of Mexico, Japan, the USA and Thailand. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (6 STUDIES) Abundance (1 studies): One replicated, before-and-after study in the USA found that over the course of a 37-year head-start programme, the number of kemp’s ridley nests laid on the Texas coastline increased from near zero to 119. Reproductive success (2 studies): Two studies (including one replicated, before-and-after study) in Mexico and the USA found that all 11 head-started Kemp’s ridley turtles bred in the wild following release and head-started turtles that were allowed to crawl to the sea before recapture began laying nests on their beach of origin 10–12 years after release. Survival (4 studies): One of four studies (including two replicated and two controlled studies) in the Caribbean Sea, Torres Strait near Australia, Gulf of Mexico and Japan reported that all 11 head-started Kemp’s ridley turtles survived at least 11–19 years following release. Two of the studies reported that 1–16% of sea turtles were recaptured 10–27 month or 0.5–13 months following release. The other study found that four head-started hawksbill turtles survived at least 4–9 days, and one survived at least 10 months following release. Condition (1 study): One replicated study in Thailand found mixed effects of tank depth on growth rate, size and body condition of green turtles during a head-starting programme and no effect of feed type. BEHAVIOUR (2 STUDIES) Use (1 study): One replicated study in the Caribbean Sea reported that one head-started green turtle travelled 2,300 km from its release location, whereas other recaptures were within 1–14 km of the release site. Behaviour change (1 study): One replicated study in the Caribbean Sea found mixed effects on swimming behaviour of released head-started loggerhead turtles at 1.5 years old compared to 2.5 years old. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3775https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3775Wed, 15 Dec 2021 12:21:11 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Head-start wild-caught reptiles for release: Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles Eighteen studies evaluated the effects of head-starting wild-caught tortoises, terrapins, side-necked and softshell turtles for release. Thirteen studies were in the USA, two were in Venezuela and one was in each of the Galápagos, Poland and Madagascar. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (18 STUDIES) Abundance (1 study): One controlled study in Venezuela found that 57% of captured giant sideneck river turtles were head-started individuals. Survival (13 studies): Two of three studies (including one replicated, controlled study) in the USA and Poland found that head-started European pond turtles and desert tortoises had similar survival compared to wild turtles or hatchlings released directly into the wild. The other study found that head-started northern redbelly turtles had higher survival than wild hatchling turtles. This study also found that in the first year of release, larger head-started turtles had higher survival, but in year 2–3 survival was similar for all sizes. Four of 12 studies (including nine replicated studies) in the Galápago, the USA, Madagascar and Venezuela reported that 50–100% of head-started individuals survived for three months to 1–5 years after release. Three of the studies reported that 6–43% of individuals survived for 1–3 years. Two of the studies reported that six of six, two of 10 and nine of 10 radio-tracked individuals survived 3–12 months. Two of the studies reported that annual survival was 80–100% or 3–100% in the year following release but 82–100% in subsequent years. The other study reported that some giant sideneck river turtles survived up to 14 years. Two studies also reported that survival during the captive phase was 91–100%. One study also found that more tortoises head-started in outdoor seaside pens died than did those from indoor pens. One replicated, controlled study in Venezuela found that survival of Arrau turtles during the captive phase was lower for turtles from relocated nests compared to those from nests that were not moved. Condition (5 studies): One of two replicated studies in the USA found that two-year-old head-started gopher tortoises were larger at their time of release than two-year-old tortoises released in to the wild directly after hatching. The other study found that Agassiz’s desert tortoise hatchlings grew more slowly in captivity than tortoises in the wild. Two studies (including one replicated study) in the USA found that Alabama red-bellied cooters and wood turtles grew during 12–16 months in captivity, and wood turtles showed no signs of shell malformation. One controlled study in Venezuela found that the size distribution of released head-started giant sideneck river turtles was similar to that of wild turtles when newly released individuals were excluded. BEHAVIOUR (1 STUDY) Use (1 study): One study in the USA found that 81% of desert tortoises established home ranges within 13 days of release. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3776https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3776Wed, 15 Dec 2021 12:31:41 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Head-start wild-caught reptiles for release: Snakes & lizards Nine studies evaluated the effects of head-starting wild-caught snakes and lizards for release. Five studies were in the USA, two were in Puerto Rico and one was in each of the Cayman Islands and Jamaica. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (9 STUDIES) Abundance (2 studies): Two studies (including one before-and-after and one replicated study) in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands reported that the number of Jamaican iguanas found in the wild was higher after 23 years of head-starting and releasing compared to at the start of the programme and that there was a stable population of blue iguanas over four years during ongoing releases of head-started individuals. Reproductive success (4 studies): Four studies (including two replicated studies) in Jamaica, Puerto Rico and the USA reported successful reproduction following release of head-started Jamaican iguanas (but not for 16 years) and Mona Island iguanas, and that timber rattlesnakes copulated or participated in pre-copulatory behaviour. One study also reported that 88–90% of Mona Island iguana eggs hatched successfully. Survival (8 studies): Two of three controlled studies (including one replicated, randomized study) in the USA found that head-started plains gartersnakes and common water snakes were recaptured a similar number of times or had similar survival compared to resident snakes. The other study found that head-started northern water snakes had lower survival following release than resident snakes. One study also found that 76% of snakes survived the captive phase of head-starting. Three studies (including two replicated studies) in the USA and Puerto Rico reported that 22–40% of timber rattlesnakes or Mona Island iguanas survived for monitoring periods of eight months to six years. One replicated study in the USA found that head-started eastern massasaugas released in summer had higher survival than snakes released in autumn. One before-and-after study in Jamaica reported that 16% of Jamaican iguanas died during the captive phase of head-starting. Condition (5 studies): Two of three controlled studies (including one replicated, randomized study) in the USA found that head-started northern water snakes and common water snakes grew more slowly than resident snakes. The other study found that head-started plains gartersnakes had similar growth rates to resident snakes. One study also found that head-started common water snakes had similar body condition to resident snakes. One controlled study in Puerto Rico found that body condition of head-started Mona Island iguanas was higher than wild iguanas before release, but similar at their first recapture after release. One replicated study in the USA found that more head-started eastern massasaugas released in summer gained weight before hibernation than snakes released in autumn. BEHAVIOUR (3 STUDIES) Behaviour change (3 studies): One of three studies (including one replicated, randomized, controlled study) in the USA found that head-started common water snakes showed similar behaviour to residents across a range of behaviour measures. One of the studies found that head-started northern water snakes had smaller home ranges and showed less surface activity than resident snakes. The other study found that head-started eastern massasaugas released in summer had larger home ranges than snakes released in autumn. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3777https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3777Wed, 15 Dec 2021 13:03:25 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Head-start wild-caught reptiles for release: Crocodilians Seven studies evaluated the effects of head-starting wild-caught crocodilians for release. Two studies were in each of the Philippines and Nepal and one study was in each of Zimbabwe, Venezuela and Argentina. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (7 STUDIES) Abundance (2 studies): Two studies (including one replicated study) in the Philippines and Nepal reported that following releases of head-started crocodiles or gharials, wild populations increased in size over 8–9 years. Reproductive success (2 studies): One replicated study in Argentina reported that released head-started broad-snouted caimans had similar clutch sizes and hatching success compared to non-head-started caiman. One replicated study in Nepal reported successful reproduction in all four rivers where head-started gharials were released. Survival (5 studies): Three studies (including one replicated, controlled study) in Venezuela, the Philippines and Nepal reported that 88% of head-started Orinoco crocodiles survived 8–12 months and 53% of Philippine crocodiles or gharials survived for one year following release. One study also found that survival of Philippine crocodile hatchlings during the captive phase of head-starting was higher than for non-head-started hatchlings in the wild. One replicated study in Argentina reported that at least five released head-started broad-snouted caimans survived 9–10 years. One replicated study in Zimbabwe found that 38% of released head-started Nile crocodiles were recaptured at least once over four years. This study also found that hatching success of Nile crocodile eggs in the head-start programme was 74%, and that survival of hatchlings during the captive phase was lowest during the first year. Condition (1 studies): One study in Venezuela found that released head-started Orinoco crocodiles grew at a similar rate to resident juvenile crocodiles. BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3778https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3778Wed, 15 Dec 2021 13:26:54 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Head-start wild-caught reptiles for release: Tuatara Two studies evaluated the effects of head-starting wild-caught tuatara for release. Both studies were in New Zealand. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (2 STUDIES) Survival (2 studies): One study in New Zealand reported that 67–70% of head-started tuatara survived over monitoring periods of 9–11 months. One study in New Zealand found that 56% of head-started tuatara were recaptured over six years following release. Condition (1 studies): One study in New Zealand reported that head-started tuatara increased in weight by around 100 g during the five years following release. BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3779https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3779Wed, 15 Dec 2021 13:42:27 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Release reptiles born/hatched in captivity from wild-collected eggs/wild-caught females without rearing Five studies evaluated the effect on reptile populations of releasing reptiles born/hatched in captivity from wild-collected eggs/wild-caught females without rearing. Four studies were in the USA and one was in Australia. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (5 STUDIES) Reproductive success (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in the USA found that for plains gartersnakes released as newborns, two of over 350 released snakes were found to be gravid two years after release. Survival (5 studies): One before-and-after study in the USA found that survival of captive-born desert tortoises released as hatchlings was similar over six months compared to hatchlings that were head-started in indoor or outdoor enclosures. One replicated, controlled study in the USA found that alligator hatchlings released into their mother’s home range had higher survival than those released outside her home range. Three replicated studies (including one controlled study) in Australia and the USA found that 11% of Murray short-necked turtles and 7% of plains gartersnakes survived for 1–3 years after release, and first year survival of gopher tortoise hatchlings released into a predator proof enclosure was around 30%. Condition (2 studies): One before-and-after study in the USA found that captive-born desert tortoises released as hatchlings grew more slowly over six months than hatchlings head-started in an indoor enclosure. One replicated, controlled study in the USA found mixed effects on growth of alligator hatchlings released inside or outside of their mother’s home range compared to wild hatchlings. BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3780https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3780Wed, 15 Dec 2021 14:31:38 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Relocate nests/eggs to a nearby natural setting (not including hatcheries): Sea turtles Thirteen studies evaluated the effects of relocating nests/eggs to a nearby natural setting on sea turtle populations. Five studies were in the USA, two were in Suriname and the US Virgin Islands and one was in each of Costa Rica, Ascension Island, Brazil and Cape Verde. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (12 STUDIES) Reproductive success (12 studies): Four of 12 controlled studies (including three replicated, randomized studies) in the USA, Suriname, US Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, Ascension Island, Brazil and Cape Verde found that relocated sea turtle nests had lower hatching success than natural nests in six of seven years, in 26 of 29 years, or lower hatching success than nests laid above the tidal zone, or that nests relocated >10 days after being laid had lower hatching and emergence success than natural nests or nests relocated within 12 hours. One of those studies also found that relocating nests within 12 hours had mixed effects on hatching and emergence success compared to natural nests. One study also found that two different egg collecting methods resulted in either more dead early stage or late-stage embryos. Four of the studies found that relocated sea turtle nests had similar hatching and emergence success or hatching success compared to natural nests and specifically compared to those laid in safer parts of the beach or above the high tide line. One of those studies also found that relocated nests experienced similar levels of predation by ghost crabs as natural nests. One of the studies also found that fewer relocated nests failed completely due to tidal flooding compared to natural nests. One of the studies found that relocated loggerhead turtle nests had higher hatching success than natural nests. One of the studies found that relocated leatherback turtle nests had higher hatching success compared to natural nests that were washed over by sea swells, but similar hatching success compared to natural nests that were not washed over by sea swells. The other two studies found that relocating sea turtle nests had mixed effects on hatching or hatching and emergence success compared to natural nests. One of those studies also found that in years when leatherback turtle nests were relocated, fewer were lost to erosion than when no relocations took place. Condition (1 study): One replicated, randomized, controlled study in the USA found that hatchlings from relocated loggerhead turtle nests were a similar size to hatchlings from natural nests. BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES) OTHER (1 STUDY) Offspring sex ratio (1 study): One replicated, randomized, controlled study in Suriname found that relocated leatherback turtle nests produced all female hatchlings, whereas 30–100% of hatchlings from naturally incubated nests were female. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3781https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3781Wed, 15 Dec 2021 14:46:00 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Relocate nests/eggs to a nearby natural setting (not including hatcheries): Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles Four studies evaluated the effects of relocating nests/eggs to a nearby natural setting on tortoise, terrapin, side-necked & softshell turtle One study was in each of Venezuela, Columbia, Canada and the USA. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (4 STUDIES) Reproductive success (4 studies): Two of four replicated, controlled studies in Venezuela, Columbia, Canada and the USA found that relocated Arrau turtle and Magdalena river turtle nests had similar hatching success compared to natural nests. One of the studies found that painted turtle and snapping turtle nests relocated to artificial nest mounds had higher hatching success than natural nests. The other study found that relocating diamondback terrapin nests to artificial nest mounds had mixed effects on hatching success compared to natural nests. Survival (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in Venezuela found that Arrau turtle hatchlings from relocated nests had lower survival during their first year compared to hatchlings from natural nests. Condition (2 studies): One replicated, controlled study in Venezuela found that Arrau turtle hatchlings from relocated nests had more physical abnormalities compared to hatchlings from natural nests. One replicated, controlled study in Columbia found that a similar number of eggs were infested by invertebrates and fungi in relocated and natural nests. BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3782https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3782Wed, 15 Dec 2021 15:14:03 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Relocate nests/eggs to a nearby natural setting (not including hatcheries): Crocodilians We found no studies that evaluated the effects of relocating nests/eggs to a nearby natural setting on crocodile populations. ‘We found no studies’ means that we have not yet found any studies that have directly evaluated this action during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore we have been unable to assess whether or not the action is effective or has any harmful impacts. Please get in touch if you know of such a study for this action.Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3783https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3783Wed, 15 Dec 2021 15:24:24 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Relocate nests/eggs to a nearby natural setting (not including hatcheries): Tuatara We found no studies that evaluated the effects of relocating nests/eggs to a nearby natural setting on tuatara populations. ‘We found no studies’ means that we have not yet found any studies that have directly evaluated this action during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore we have been unable to assess whether or not the action is effective or has any harmful impacts. Please get in touch if you know of such a study for this action.Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3784https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3784Wed, 15 Dec 2021 15:25:47 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Relocate nests/eggs to a hatchery: Sea turtles Twenty-two studies evaluated the effects on sea turtle populations of relocating nests/eggs to a hatchery. Four studies were in each of Malaysia, Mexico and Costa Rica, three studies were in Brazil, two studies were in Cape Verde and one study was in each of the USA, Turkey, Greece, Indonesia and Mauritius. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (22 STUDIES) Reproductive success (19 studies): Four of 10 studies (including seven replicated, controlled studies) in Brazil, Mexico, Greece, Cape Verde, Costa Rica, Indonesia found mixed effects on hatching success in sea turtle nests relocated to hatcheries compared to natural nests. Three studies found that sea turtle nests relocated to hatcheries had similar hatching or emergence success compared to natural nests, and specifically those laid in safe locations or those that were camoflaged. Two studies found that nests relocated to hatcheries had higher hatching success than natural nests, and in one case all the natural nests were predated. The other study found that nests relocated to a hatchery had lower hatching success than natural nests in six of seven seasons. Two of the studies also found that fewer nests relocated to hatcheries were lost to erosion or predation compared to natural nests. One of the studies also found that hatching success was similar following immediate relocation compared to delayed but careful relocation. Four studies (including one replicated, randomized study) in Malaysia, Mexico, Costa Rica and Mauritius reported that hatching success of sea turtle eggs and nests relocated to hatcheries ranged from 35–78%. One study also found that hatching success was not affected by the number of eggs in the nest. Three studies (including one randomized replicated study) in the USA, Malaysia and Mexico found that sea turtle nests relocated to hatcheries had similar hatching success compared to those relocated for artificial incubation. One study also found that handling eggs during the first five days did not affect hatching success. One replicated, controlled, before-and-after study in Costa Rica found that leatherback turtle nests relocated to a hatchery or to other parts of the beach (results combined) had similar hatching success compared to natural nests. One replicated, controlled study in Turkey found that hatching success was similar if nests were relocated 0–18 h after laying. Survival (2 studies): Two studies in Costa Rica and Mauritius found that 77% of olive ridley turtle hatchlings and 89% of green turtle hatchlings from hatcheries successfully reached the ocean. Condition (4 studies): Two randomized studies (including one replicated, controlled, before-and-after study) in Mexico found that relocating olive ridley turtle nests to a hatchery had mixed effects on size or size, movement and condition of hatchlings compare to hatchlings that were artificially incubated or from natural nests. One study also found that hatchery hatchlings had higher stress hormone levels than hatchlings from natural nests after emergence, and a different stress response to reaching the ocean compared to hatchlings from natural nests. One replicated, randomized study in Malaysia found that green turtle hatchlings released from hatcheries immediately after emergence moved faster than hatchlings held in the hatchery for 1–6 hours and had better body condition than hatchlings held for 3–6 hours. One replicated study in Malaysia found that excavating green turtle hatchlings in a hatchery immediately after the main clutch emerged resulted in better movement and body condition compared to hatchings excavated five days later. BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES) OTHER (1 STUDY) Offspring sex ratio (1 study): One replicated, randomized study in Malaysia found that all but 1 of 169 leatherback turtle eggs relocated to a hatchery produced female hatchlings. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3785https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3785Wed, 15 Dec 2021 15:39:26 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Provide supplementary food or water Four studies evaluated the effects of providing supplementary food or water on reptile populations. Two studies were in the USA and one was in each of Indonesia and Australia. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (2 STUDIES) Survival (2 studies): One replicated, controlled study in the USA found that translocated desert tortoises given supplementary water had similar survival over two years compared to those given no supplementary water. Reproduction (1 study): One randomized, controlled study in the USA found that more Western diamond-backed rattlesnakes provided with supplementary food reproduced compared snakes that were not fed. Condition (2 studies): Two controlled studies (including one randomized and one replicated study) in the USA found that Western diamond-backed rattlesnakes or translocated desert tortoises that were given supplementary food or water grew more than those that were not supplemented. BEHAVIOUR (4 STUDIES) Use (1 studies): One controlled, before-and-after study in Indonesia found that areas where supplementary food was provided were used more frequently by Komodo dragons than other parts of the island. Behaviour change (3 studies): One of two controlled studies (including one replicated, before-and-after study) in the USA and Australia found that that Pygmy bluetongue lizards translocated into enclosures and given supplementary food showed differences in three behaviour measures compared to lizards given no food. The other study found that fed and unfed Western diamond-backed rattlesnakes showed similar behaviours across four measures. One replicated, controlled study in the USA found that translocated desert tortoises given supplementary water moved longer distances than those given no supplementary water. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3786https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3786Wed, 15 Dec 2021 16:21:31 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Relocate nests/eggs to a hatchery: Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles Two studies evaluated the effects on tortoise, terrapin, side-necked and softshell turtle populations of relocating nests/eggs to a hatchery. One study was in Costa Rica and Venezuela. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (2 STUDIES) Reproductive success (2 studies): One replicated, controlled study in Venezuela found that yellow-headed sideneck turtle eggs relocated to a hatchery had higher hatching success than both natural nests and artificially incubated eggs. One study in Costa Rica reported that 80% of Nicaraguan slider eggs in a hatchery hatched successfully. BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3787https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3787Wed, 15 Dec 2021 16:31:59 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Provide reptiles with escape routes from canals, drains and ditches We found no studies that evaluated the effects on their populations of providing reptiles with escape routes from canals drains and ditches. ‘We found no studies’ means that we have not yet found any studies that have directly evaluated this action during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore we have been unable to assess whether or not the action is effective or has any harmful impacts. Please get in touch if you know of such a study for this action.Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3788https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3788Wed, 15 Dec 2021 16:32:21 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Provide rewards (monetary or non-monetary) for reporting injured or entangled reptiles We found no studies that evaluated the effects of providing rewards for reporting injured or entangled reptiles on their populations. ‘We found no studies’ means that we have not yet found any studies that have directly evaluated this action during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore we have been unable to assess whether or not the action is effective or has any harmful impacts. Please get in touch if you know of such a study for this action.Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3789https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3789Wed, 15 Dec 2021 16:33:36 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Fence cliff edges to prevent individuals from falling One study evaluated the effects on reptile populations of fencing cliff edges to prevent individuals from falling. This study was in Australia. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (1 STUDY) Survival (1 study): One before-and-after study in Australia found that after installing a fence along a small cliff edge, fewer green turtle carcasses were found at the base of the cliff compared to before installation. BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3790https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3790Wed, 15 Dec 2021 16:37:17 +0000